Donna Marie Anthony, February 3, 1941 – March 18, 2025

With her loving family and Zoe at her side, Donna Marie Anthony ( Feb 3, 1941- March 18, 2025) passed away gently at home. Donna chose the dignity of MAID, allowing friends and family to gather and share memories, which gave her great joy. Donna was born and raised in Nova Scotia with parents Grace and George Rafuse. In 1956, she married Ken Anthony, and had 4 children. Later, as a single mother, she brought her children up in homes filled with friends, music, books, the love of learning, and the value of work. She later returned to her education, completing High School and Master Degrees in Sociology and in Counselling Psychology. As a feminist counsellor, Donna inspired the possibility of personal and social change for many people in both Edmonton and Nanaimo. She was an activist: a community and union supporter, an ally of Indigenous and queer people, and the founder of the Nan-Go Grannies. In 1984, Donna began a 40 year adventure with her partner Jane Templeman, enjoying nature, travel, ‘RVing’, and their pets. They shared a commitment to women’s equality, ending violence, abortion rights, and environmental action.  Donna leaves Jane; her beloved children Stephen, Nadine (Bob), Pamela, and Matthew (Sharon); grandchildren Ellen (Aadil) and her son Zayne, Rachel (Brad), and Lauren; Nieces Patricia (Barry), Brendan and Taryn; and Kristen( David), Lexi and Andi; her Hanington family in Alberta, and her Rafuse and Anthony families in Nova Scotia. With a deep sense of truth and justice, Donna is remembered for her honest and direct relationship with people and the world. A donation to the Stephen Lewis Foundation would honour Donna’s legacy of supporting African Grandmother’s who shoulder the burden of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. “I resist anything that feels like ‘We will save you’ – in my bones. Nobody saves anybody, you only stand with them.” (Powered by Love, 2017)

• Date : 2025-03-18
• Location : Vancouver, BC