Donna Louise Hooper Briand

With great sadness the Briand family announces the passing of Donna Louise Briand at Lakeridge Health Hospital Oshawa on August 30 at the age of 65. She will be deeply missed by family members, her many friends and all who knew her. She leaves a void in our hearts and in our world.

Beloved wife of 43 years and high school sweetheart of Michael. Loving mother to Joshua of Vancouver and Adam and his wife Laura (White) of Toronto. Proud grandmother of her beautiful bundle of joy, Claire (Adam and Laura). Dear sister to Gloria (MacKinnon) and sister-in-law to Pat (Gloria) of Whitby, Jeannette Briand and Dr David Adams of Winnipeg/Toronto and Garry Briand and Patricia Buzeta of Oshawa. Treasured daughter-in-law to Stella Briand of Whitby. Cherished aunt to her many nephews and nieces. Predeceased by her parents, Lois and Don Hooper, of Scarborough and father-in-law, James Briand.

For Donna, her last six years of living with cancer were not a battle but rather a begrudging tolerance of the limitations it imposed on her. The battling was to be done by the experts, led by Dr. Jose Chang of the Cancer Centre at Lakeridge Oshawa, whom she implicitly trusted while she got on with her life. Throughout these years she endured her disease and continued to lead her life with the usual vigour she had always exhibited. She travelled abroad, enjoyed cottage life with close friends, worked in her garden, and participated in an active social life with her many other friends and relatives. Her attitude was inspirational to all who knew her.

Donna was one of those very fortunate people who found her calling in life and she relished the roles of mother to Adam and Joshua and of teacher in the Scarborough and Durham Boards of Education. She maintained friendships with her fellow teachers for over 44 years and built a strong social network with them, one that provided her with tremendous support in the last few years. Donna was an exemplary professional in her role as teacher and although she did not teach full time for all of those years, taking time out to raise her boys, she always dedicated herself to her work wholeheartedly. Her pupils realized this and knew that she cared for them. It gave her a great sense of satisfaction to meet pupils many years later who would remember her fondly.

The family would like to sincerely thank the many doctors and nurses at R.S. McLaughlin Cancer Centre and the Palliative Care Unit at Lakeridge Health Oshawa who did battle on Donna’s behalf and provided her with their caring and expert support.

Friends may join the family at 10:00 a.m. at the OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West, Oshawa (905-721-1234) on Saturday, September 7. A memorial celebration will commence at 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel. Cremation has already taken place.

In memory of Donna, in lieu of flowers please donate to a charity of your choice or just do something nice for someone (or even better – do both!).