Donna McPhee (née Peterson)
February 4, 1936 – October 21, 2026
Calgary, Alberta

Donna McPhee (née Peterson) of Calgary, AB, passed away on October 21, 2026, at the age of 90 years. Donna was the firstborn to Bill and Anna Mae Peterson on February 4, 1936, in Pouce Coupe, B.C. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Mel McPhee. Donna is survived by her son, James; brother, Ronald; and sisters, Dianne, Delores, and Denise. Donna graduated nursing school in 1957 and the same year met Mel McPhee, a Mountie who was based out of Haines Junction, N.W.T., at the time. They were married in Skagway, Alaska, in 1959.

Her son Jim was born in Whitehorse, Yukon, in 1962, where Donna was a nurse and Mel was an RCMP officer.
Their postings took them to Baffin Island, Cape Dorset and Pangnirtung, N.W.T., Fort
Quappelle, Chipewyan, Wilkie, Rosthern, and then Kamsack, Saskatchewan, where Mel retired from the force, with Donna working as a nurse along the way. They returned to Alberta, first to Spruce Grove, then settling in Calgary. Donna was a fantastic cook and baker.  She loved all animals and was known to help other people, donating time and energy to others in need. She was feisty-spirited and wasn’t shy about telling you how she really felt about you or yours.Donna suffered from pain in her later years. We are grateful the pain is gone.

In Loving Memory
“In tears we saw you sinking,
We watched you fade away
Our hearts were almost broken
You fought so hard to stay.
But when we saw you sleeping
So peaceful, free from pain
We could not wish you
Back to suffer that again.
Two tired eyes are sleeping
Two willing hands are still
For one who suffered far too much
Is resting in God’s will.
You never said goodbye to us
For perhaps it’s just as well
We never could have said goodbye
To one we loved so well.”