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MARCHAND, Donna Jeannette, Louisdale

It is with broken hearts that we the family announce the passing of Donna Jeannette Marchand, 41 on July 1, 2017 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney after a courageous battle with cancer. Born July 3, 1975 in Antigonish, she was the daughter of Andrew Jeffrey and Jeanette (Dorey) Jeffrey both of Louisdale. Donna enjoyed spending time at her cottage on the water in St. George’s Channel, always referring to it as her “Happy Place” where she rarely missed watching the beautiful sunsets over the lake. Her love for family was evident every day and her 3 children were her most precious gifts. Together with her loving husband, their family shared many memories over the years. They enjoyed taking family trips south, going to Halifax to spend time with their extended family, and enjoyed some quality time close to home surrounded by their loved ones.
Donna touched many lives because of her selflessness, unconditional love, caring, compassion and giving nature. Her illness did not define her but rather it showed us the true meaning of strength, faith & courage. Donna helped inspire others to keep positive, to stay strong, and have the courage to make it through another day when it seemed impossible. She was always thinking of others and would often drop by with sweets, send words of encouragement whenever needed, or donate to charities to pay it forward; sometimes doing this during her most difficult days. Donna was a member of St. Louis Parish C.W.L. and was also President of the Home & School Association at Felix Marchand Education Centre in Louisdale. She also volunteered for the past 20 years at the Tax Clinic for seniors & low-income families. As her favourite saying goes, “If you can be anything in this world, be kind” and Donna embodied that spirit each day. She will be missed by all who loved her but her family takes comfort in knowing that she is at peace. Donna, WE LOVE YOU MORE!
Donna will be deeply missed by Jason, her loving husband of 19 years, her adorable children, Katelyn, Kelly and Alex, all at home; fur baby, Zoey; brother, Francis Jeffrey (Mary-Lynn) son Hunter, daughter Olivia, Cole Harbour; sisters, Kimberly Shauffenburg (Graham), Lunenburg, Amanda Peters (Gordon),Timberlea, and sister of the heart, Grace Thibeau; (Rodney) daughters Isabelle & Emilie, Pondville; extended family members, Father and Mother-in-law, Wilfred and Leona (Clorey) Marchand, Louisdale; sisters-in-law, Shelley Boudreau (LeRoy); daughter Kristen, Louisdale; Tanya Carter (Leon), daughter Haley, son Leland, River Bourgeois; brother-in-law Shaun Marchand (Sigrid); sons Kaden, Rylan; daughter Kallie, LeDuc, Alberta. Donna was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Alexis and Violet Dorey, paternal grandparents Francis and Rose Jeffrey; special aunt, Emily MacDonald, and bestie Annie Landry.

Visitation will be held in the St. Louis Parish Church, Louisdale on Thursday, July 6th from 2-4 & 6-9pm. Funeral Mass will be held in the St. Louis Parish Church in Louisdale on Friday, July 7th at 11am with Rev, Joe MacKenzie officiating assisted by Rev. Angus MacDougall. Burial to take place in St. Louis Parish Cemetery in Louisdale. Memorial donations may be made to the Strait Richmond Hospital Palliative Care Society, Cathy’s Place in Antigonish or to St. Louis Cemetery Fund. A reception will take place following the committal in the St. Louis Parish Hall.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat. To send words of comfort to the family or to light a candle in memory of Donna, please visit www.chboudreau.com.