Obituary of Donna Lynn French

Celebrating the vibrant life of Donna French, who was born on a warm summer day, July 13th, 1948, in Toronto, Ontario. Donna's journey on this earth came to a peaceful close on April 15th, 2025, at the age of 76. Donna's legacy lives on through her loving brothers, Glenn Miscampbell and his wife Carol, and their family; Lester Miscampbell and his wife Helena, and their family; her cherished son, Christopher “Jamie” French, his wife Cindy, and their wonderful children, Quinn and Aurora. She also leaves behind her adored feline companion, Mei Mei, and a wide circle of devoted friends and extended family. Donna now joins her beloved parents, Lester Warren Miscampbell and Norma Miscampbell (nee Urstadt), in peaceful rest. In her younger years, Donna was an accomplished dancer and excelled at tap, jazz, and ballet. Before marriage she became a dance instructor at Arthur Murray’s dance studio and she was also an excellent roller skater, winning numerous awards at roller skating dance competitions. Donna embarked on her professional life in the 1960s as a secretary with the Toronto Water Commission, later working at Hutschenreuther Canada and Research Foods in the Toronto area. While life presented her with different paths in marriage, Donna embraced her independence with a strong spirit and a clear sense of self, valuing the freedom to pursue her passions on her own terms. Her life's journey took her through various vibrant neighbourhoods in and around Toronto from the 1950s to the late 1990s, including Leslieville, Jane and Finch, North York, Scarborough, Whitby, and Oshawa. Whitby held a special place as the community where she lovingly raised her son through his middle and high school years. In the late 1990s, Donna's caring nature led her to Westville, Nova Scotia, where she provided support to a friend, blossoming within the local community. In 2018, she moved a short distance to New Glasgow, where she continued to enjoy life until her passing. Donna held a special affection for Siamese cats, sharing her life with many treasured feline companions over the years. She possessed a keen eye for style and always presented herself with grace and practicality. A thoughtful observer of life, Donna had a remarkable ability to understand people's motivations. She valued genuine connections, choosing to surround herself with those who acted with kindness and integrity, treating everyone with equal respect and appreciating positive energy. A true lover of nature, Donna found joy and connection in gardens and flowers. Her knowledge of plants brought beauty and warmth to countless lives, earning her the affectionate, anonymous title of “The Flower Fairy of Pictou County.” She actively participated in the New Glasgow and Stellarton Line Dancing Groups, engaged with the Community Access Programme (CAP) at the Westville Library, enjoyed the camaraderie of “What’s for Dinner” classes in New Glasgow, and was a valued member of the Senior’s Cafe program and the Westville Garden Club. Between 2020 and 2022, her insightful column, “What I’ve Learned about…,” in the Pictou Advocate shared her wisdom with the wider community. Throughout her life, Donna embraced photography, cherished reading, and maintained a lifelong love of learning. Her inquisitive mind and warm spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Though she expressed her desire to remain with us, she now rests peacefully. A celebration of Donna’s life will be organized in the Toronto area in the late spring. Please reach out via email to celebrate_donna@oneeh.ca should you wish to receive further details and virtual drop-in info which will be shared once organized. For those who wish to share memories and tributes, please share with the Tribute Wall. Donations in memory of Donna may be made to the Nova Scotia SPCA (https://www.novascotiaspca.ca/how-you-can-help/donate/). With love and remembrance.