Donna M. Hamilton

Donna Hamilton (nee McDougall), wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, unexpectedly passed away at her home in Beausejour, Manitoba, on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the age of 62.

Born in Pinawa Hospital to Lloyd and Dorothy McDougall she was a younger sister to Linda. As a child, she was outgoing and always on the move. She loved being in the centre of whatever was going on. Be that escaping fences, accepting a dare, or riding a calf bare back in her great uncle’s calf pen! She attended school in Lac du Bonnet but left home before graduating.

Donna enjoyed music and singing, learning to play the guitar and accordion. As an adult, you would find her singing and playing at talent nights in Lac du Bonnet, Beausejour and Selkirk. She could be quite funny and always had a story or joke on hand.

Donna also enjoyed the water and was a regular at the town dock in Lac du Bonnet or off the school point, in Riverland on a hot summer day. She found summer drives relaxing and loved finding a good deal.

On May 14, 1982, Donna gave birth to a son and made the difficult decision to place him for adoption. The mental impact and the effects of this decision deeply and intensely effected the rest of her life. In the fall of 2024, her son, Ryan reached out through Ancestry.com hoping to establish contact with Donna. Sadly, they were not able to reunite before Donna’s passing.

On October 15, 1989, Donna married James Hamilton and together they shared a journey that spanned 36 years. They were married in Springside, Saskatchewan before moving back to Manitoba, living in or around the towns of Lac du Bonnet and Beausejour. Today, her husband Jim resides in East-Gate Lodge in Beausejour.

Faith was a large part of Donna’s life, and she and Jim attended churches in both Lac du Bonnet and Beausejour over the years, enjoying the fellowship of the church and the support it provided. She was kind and generous to those she cared for.

Donna showed resilience in the face of a lifelong struggle with mental health, starting over many times when life overwhelmed her. With the love of her husband, the support of her mental health team, family, friends, and the caring and support of the church, Donna was able to live in the community.

Donna is survived by her husband James (Jim), her son Ryan Janz (Cameron), his wife Jessica, their two children Evelyn and Samuel, sister Linda Vallance, nephew Travis, his wife Ghislaine and daughter, Claire, niece Brandy and son Liam, aunts, uncles and cousins. Donna was pre-deceased by her parents, Lloyd and Dorothy McDougall in 2019.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sobering Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 2 pm. Following the service, please join us for refreshments and to share your memories of Donna.

Cremation has taken place, and interment will follow at a later date.

If you so desire, donations may be made to the to the organization of your choice.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.” 
Matthew 11:28

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com