Obituary of Donna Marie Gallant

Teacher, author, maker of world-class biscuits. Donna Gallant, 77, of Mermaid, Prince Edward Island, died peacefully surrounded by family on August 23, 2026 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital after a 3-year journey with ALS.

Beloved wife of 57 wonderful years to Ron, mother to Trish Vardy (Harvey), Chris (Dawn), Mike (Kate Hickey), and Janette (Jeremy Marshall). Devoted and proud grandmother to Kayla and Mason Vardy, Kirsten, Sophie, and Lexi Gallant, Theo and Freddy Gallant-Hickey, and Ben and Tom Marshall. Eldest sister to Kathy Marshall, Barry (Colleen O’Neill), Jeannie Carpenter (Bob Morrison), Karen Harding (Bob), Celie Gallison (Chuck), Rosalie Dawson, and David (Jackie Kennedy). Sister-in-law to Romeo (Eydie), Clem (Yvonne), Anne-Marie Johnson, Claire Green, Mark (Linda), Richard (Geri), Anita St. Denis (Willy), Carmella Cheverie, Adrienne Kervin (Mike), Denise Jakubiak (Jerry), Elaine Black, and Al (Doreen). Donna leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Predeceased by her parents Agnes and Cecil Walsh and parents-in-law Clarisse and Jacques Gallant, brother Gerry, in-laws Chris Marshall, Gerard Carpenter, Scott Dawson, Laura Lee Walsh, Doreen Gallant, Yvette and George Sheehan, Bill Green, Paddy Cheverie, and Lew Black.

Donna was a strong, creative, thoughtful, and caring woman who was easy to love. She loved to laugh and often had a mischievous sparkle in her eye. The eldest of nine children, she grew up on the family farm in Summerville, an experience that stayed with her throughout her life and inspired her love of gardening, family traditions, and large celebrations. From an early age, she displayed the intelligence, curiosity, and gift for communication that would define her adult life, graduating as valedictorian of her high school class.

Donna pursued her passion for education by attending the University of Prince Edward Island, where she completed her teacher training and later earned a diploma in School Librarianship. While in Toronto for a summer job, she met the love of her life, Ron, at a church dance, beginning a partnership that would span a lifetime.

Donna loved her husband and children deeply. She was immensely proud of her four children and nine grandchildren and warmly embraced her children's partners as members of the family. She treasured the close relationships she shared with her siblings and extended family and had a remarkable ability to form lasting friendships wherever she went. Donna loved gathering people together, whether for a family celebration, a game of cards, or simply an evening of conversation. She attended as many graduations, sporting events, performances, and milestones as possible, always eager to cheer on the people she loved.

She spent countless hours baking, gardening, writing, and enjoying time with family and friends. Donna and Ron shared a love of travel and explored many parts of the world together, delighting in history, culture, and the beauty of God's creation. She served her community faithfully as a life member of the Mermaid Women's Institute and as a longtime 4-H leader. She was also deeply involved in her faith community through St. Patrick's Parish, where she was a member of the Catholic Women's League and served as a Marriage Preparation leader.

In retirement, Donna's lifelong love of writing blossomed into a new calling. She devoted herself to researching and documenting the stories of her community, family, and personal experiences. As a founding member of the Memory Keepers Writing Group, she formed deep friendships with fellow writers, collaborating on projects that culminated in the publication of Write... Even When Your Hands Are Dirty. Donna also published a family history, two local histories and her final book, ...And That's the Truth, a collection of family stories, that will be published posthumously.

Donna inspired many through her journey with ALS. Never one to shy away from a challenge, and always an example of living with intention, compassion, and courage, she spent her final years sharing her experiences with those around her. She contributed to a collection of Letters to ALS with her story You Took My Speech, But Not My Story. Even as the disease progressed, Donna continued to bring people together, celebrate others, and embrace life as fully as possible. Her resilience, optimism, and determination touched countless lives and were recognized earlier this year when she was honoured in the Prince Edward Island Legislature.

Donna's legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the community she served, the stories she preserved, and the many lives she enriched through her kindness, generosity, and unwavering love.

Resting at Hillsboro Funeral Home with visiting hours from 4-7 pm on Wednesday, August 26. Funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Fort Augustus at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 27 with reception to follow at the Fort Augustus Rec Center, and interment at Mount Ryan Cemetery on Friday, August 28 at 10:30am.

A special thank you to all the health care workers who took such great care of mom through the last years of her life. You are all angels.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the ALS Society of PEI.