December 16, 1942 - August 16, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Donna Tabor, a retired elementary school teacher and devoted mother of two, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2024 at Devonshire Care Centre, with her husband by her side after a seven year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 81 years old.
After the Alzheimer's diagnosis she had enrolled in a four-year clinical study through the Alzheimer's Society with the University of Alberta and in the process has donated her brain and part of her spinal cord for further study.
Born in Peace River, Donna was the youngest of five children of William and Kathryn Saliwonchuk. She grew up on a farm in the Reno, Alberta area, learning English from her older sisters before starting school. Donna graduated from Strathcona High School in in Edmonton. After trying nursing Donna decided this was not for her and enrolled in a two year teacher's program at the University of Alberta boarding at Alex and Irma Grant's home and becoming the daughter they never had.
During the summer she worked at a local CIBC Bank in Peace River meeting her future husband Jack Tabor who had just been transferred there from Calgary. Jack and Donna were married at the St. James Anglican Cathedral in Peace River on July 10, 1965.
Together they followed Jack's banking career in Grande Prairie, Rocky Mountain House, Calgary, Hay River, NWT, Edmonton, back to Calgary, then Sylvan Lake with Donna obtaining teaching positions on these locations. She became known as a dedicated and compassionate teacher, touching the lives of many students, colleagues, and parents with her enthusiasm, patience, and creativity in the various communities where they lived.
Donna became pregnant with their first child, Karen, born in January 1969. Later they adopted their son Greg born June 1971. Donna was a loving and caring mother, who always put her family first. She was proud of her children's achievements and supported them in their dreams and aspirations.
Greg and his wife Laurel Challacombe have two wonderful twin children Owen and Liam. Donna cherished her role as a grandmother and adored her twin grandchildren. She spoiled then with hugs and kisses, storytelling and showing them how to make cookies and stuffing chickens.
Donna was a kind and generous person, who had a positive impact on everyone she met. She had a warm and friendly personality, and a great sense of humor. She was always ready to help others, becoming a caregiver to her friend Irma Grant in later years until Irma passed and to Laurel's Father, Allan Challacombe who was a retired Anglican Minister until his passing.
Until she was no longer able, she was willing to lend a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. She had a strong faith. She developed a love for travel and visited many countries and cultures with her husband, friends and relatives.
Donna was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2017 and came to terms with this situation as her mother and older sister Emily had passed away from Alzheimer's earlier. After the diagnosis, she met with a lawyer, and rewrote her personal directive to include an advance request for MAID (which would later never become legal due to political influence) then added that if she stopped feeding herself, she was not to be fed.
With that she decided to live the best life she could. This included a wonderful two-week family vacation on Tracadie Island off the coast of Nova Scotia in the Northumberland Strait with Donna and her family of eight.
In December 2019 while family was together for Christmas, she expressed a desire for one more family vacation while she was able. Arrangements were made for an all-inclusive vacation in the Caribbean to start March 14, 2020, but due to the developing COVID pandemic this trip never took place.
Donna will be deeply missed by her husband, Jack; her children, Karen (Wayne Skaret), Greg (Laurel Challacombe) and her grandchildren Owen and Liam; her sibling, Olive Armstrong); Sister in law Kathryn Murza, Brother in Laws Bob Tabor (Bernadette) Doug Tabor (Helen) (Helen became a special friend), Sister in Law Jean Cook (Brian), Brother in Law Dan Tabor (Sheila), her Nephew Steven Saliwonchuk (Anne, another special friend) their daughter MaryAnne Saliwonchuk her other many special nieces cousins; many friends, colleagues, and students.
She was predeceased by Father William Saliwonchuk, Kathryn Saliwonchuk, brother Nick Murza, Brother Tony Saliwonchuk, sister-in-law Mary Saliwonchuk, brother-in-law Ralph Armstrong.
She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her gentle spirit, and her generous heart. She was grateful for the support and love of her family and friends, her family is also grateful for the support of the Alberta and NWT Alzheimer's Society and for the excellent care she received from her Case Manager, Home Care aides; also for the compassionate care while in Dr Gerald Zetter long term care Centre and then the Devonshire Care Centre provided by many Health Care Aides, Doctors and Nurses, Kitchen staff, and recreation staff.
She passed away peacefully, with her husband by her side, after a long and courageous battle. Her sister, Olive and daughter Karen were with Donna many times a week providing support and comfort.
While at Devonshire Care Centre her husband Jack was able to visit Donna at least daily and was an active member of the Resident/Family Council. Cremation will take place. Interment will be a private affair in the Delia, Alberta Cemetery at a later date.
There are plans to hold a celebration of life at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Alberta & NWT Alzheimer's Society.