Donna Jean Aziz passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospice on Saturday, September 7, 2024, in her 87th year.
Donna was born March 16, 1938 to Ruby and Harold Grierson in London, Ontario. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband John, her sister Linda Eccles (Duncan), her sons John Jr. (Bonnie), Jeff (Amy), Matthew (Sarah), and her grandchildren Ryan, Julia, Hayden, Hannah, and Lily. She is predeceased by her mother-in-law Kay Aziz and brother-in-law Brian Eccles. She will be dearly missed by her brother-in-law Ted Aziz (Carol) as well as her many cousins, nieces and nephews from the Aziz, Brethour, Cassis, Grierson, Thorpe, and Osborn families.
Throughout her life Donna was passionate about her family, friends, church, and community. She was proud to a be a nurse and she treasured the relationships that began from her time living and training at Victoria Hospital as a member of the Class of 1959. The friendships that she made at Vic continued to her final days. It was also during her time at nursing school that she met the love of her life, John. They were married April16th, 1960 and soon after began raising a family.
Donna liked being active and involved. She enjoyed cooking, walking in Springbank Park, playing tennis at Greenhills Country Club, going to concerts and the theatre, socializing, entertaining, travelling, and volunteering. As a volunteer, she led the Smoking Cessation Program for the Lung Association, trained volunteers for Elections Canada, and was part of the Service League of London for many years. She was a lifelong member of the New St. James Presbyterian Church where she was involved with the Highland Group and the Women’s Council. Her sisterhood of friends at New St. James were truly special to her.
Her love of travel began at an early age with vacations to Port Elgin. This summertime tradition continued in Southampton with her sons, and in later years with their children. In retirement, she and John travelled to destinations in Europe, Florida, California, Australia and New Zealand. Their favourite getaway by plane was Bermuda. It was where they first went on their honeymoon and it was the last trip they took together, this past March.
Donna had a knack for making people feel special with her genuine care and concern. She loved to talk, mostly about her children and grandchildren’s interests and accomplishments. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, about anything. Perhaps the most difficult thing for Donna to do was to end a conversation and say good bye. For those who are experiencing her loss at this time, it is a sentiment we now share.
Visitation on Tuesday, September 10 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St. at Richmond. The funeral service will be conducted at New St. James Presbyterian Church, 280 Oxford St. E. at Wellington, on Wednesday, September 11 at 2 pm. Reception to follow. Private interment Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
To view the service online, click the following link after 1:45 pm on Wednesday, September 11: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCorm21T7pxbesIahzzXYqxA
In remembrance of Donna’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to St. Joseph’s Hospice of London and New St. James Presbyterian Church.