Obituary of Donna Marilyn Grover

With a deep sense of sadness and loss, we announce the passing of Donna Marilyn Grover at the Hanna Hospital on December 5, 2022 at the age of 87.  She lived a full and beautiful life with her faith, and love of family, friends and the great outdoors.

Donna was born in Calgary on July 30, 1935 and raised in Strathmore by her loving parents George and Ruth Anderson and with her younger siblings Norma, Mervyn and Lloyd.  In 1948, the family moved to Hanna where Donna met many of her life-long friends. In her teens, Donna was a lifeguard, a founding member of the Hanna Seals Swim Club, and an accomplished pianist.  In 1953, she married Arnold Grover and became a loving and devoted mother to their children Sheila and Murray.  She worked at Gamble Drugs/Stewart Drugs, was the organist and Jr. Choir leader at the Church of Christ, a trombone player with the Hanna & District Community Band, and a member of The Hanna Players. The family enjoyed skiing at Alliance, AB and in the mountains. Donna loved her hiking trips with the Skyline Trail Hikers of the Canadian Rockies. 

In 1975, Donna moved to Calgary to attend nursing school.  She worked in a variety of departments during her 25-year healthcare career including medical teaching and pediatrics at the General Hospital and physio at the Peter Lougheed Hospital.

Donna enjoyed singing in the choir at First Baptist Church; travelling to Great Britain, Russia, Alaska and the Yukon; classical music; photography and scrapbooking; attending all the special life events of her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With a passion for the mountains, she spent 40 years hiking and cross-country skiing countless miles with her treasured friends from the Calgary Weekend Hikers and the Norseman Ski Club.

In 2020, Donna moved back to Hanna.  She loved her two years living in the Manor, spending time with her family and adding to her mileage total with walks to Fox Lake.

Donna had a praying heart.  She was proud of and loved her family dearly. She had a positive outlook on life, accepting what could not be changed and trusting in God’s loving care and wisdom. She was an inspiration to us all, living her life with dignity and grace.

Left to lovingly remember Donna in their hearts are: Sheila (Walter) Alksne, Murray (Gail) Grover; Grandchildren Kurt (Rhonda) Alksne, Heather Alksne, Lauren (Patrick) May, Lindsay (Kevin) Hein, David (Brittany) Grover; and Great-grandchildren Emelia, Arik and Lukas Alksne, Michaela Jepp, Tyson and Delaynee Mann; Holden and Isla May; Kuper and Rowen Hein. Sister Norma (Charlie) Devereaux, brother Mervyn (Donna) Anderson, sister-in-law Peggy Anderson; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Donna was predeceased by her parents Ruth and George Anderson and her brother Lloyd Anderson.

If desired, donations in memory of Donna can be made directly to the Bragg Creek Trails Association, Box 1379, Bragg Creek AB, T0L 0K0, or at braggcreektrails.org