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Date of Birth
I was born in Farmington Hills, Michigan USA, at Botsford Hospital To Michael and Beverly Donohue. My older siblings were Annette and Michael. -
Begin Elementary School
I began school when I was six years old at Adams Elementary in Livonia, Michigan. I loved school and the subject of reading in particular. My kindergarten teacher was Mrs. Tracel and what I remember about that year, was the visits to the library where I could immerse myself in books and a unit on Colonial times where we made butter. -
Graduated From Grade 8
I graduated from Metropolitan Adventist Academy. I remember
my graduation as being a really important event for me because of the way that our church supported our school. Most of the members came to our graduation and showed their support and love for us. My teacher at the time was Mr. Hyde and I had a great deal of respect for him, he was a very bright man and also a very caring and godly man. I am thankful that I was able to have him as a teacher. -
Adelphian Academy
The first time that I left home was when I was 16 years old and attended Adelphian Academy. I loved the boarding school experience, but I also found that there were times when I was really homesick. The disappointing experience for me was that the school only stayed open for two more years and then ended up shutting down in 1987. -
Baptism
I had the joy of being baptized with my sister Pam at the Metropolitan Seventh Day Adventist Church. The pastor that baptized us was Pastor Ola Robinson. We had done baptismal classes with him and I knew that I wanted to give my heart to God. -
Great Lakes Adventist Academy
I attended Great Lakes Adventist Academy in Cedar Lake Michigan for grade 12. It was a bitter sweet experience because I had to leave my previous academy to attend another school for my Senior year. The school was very spiritual and had strong academics, but their was a bit of conflict between studends since it was the first year that they had combined the two schools. -
Graduation From Great Lakes Adventist Academy
Graduation day was an amazing day for me. It was a beautiful summer day in Michigan and most of my family and friends were there to witness my graduation. A really special part of the graduation was that my sister and I were able to graduate together. After graduation my mom and grandma hosted a large reception to celebrate. It was such an amazing, special day. -
Schoolcraft College
Attending Schoolcraft College was a big step for me, because I was leaving the safe and nuturing world of Seventh Day Adventist Education and beginning Public College. I remember feeling socially alone, but academically challenged. I am thankful for the experience of attending public college for two years, but I was very glad when I could attend Andrew University later on in my educational career. -
Student Missionary
I decided to take a year off of university to volunteer a an elementary school teacher on the island of Palau. I wanted to confirm in that teaching was the profession that I wanted to dedicate my life to. I spent a year on this beautiful island and loved every moment there and decided that teaching truly was my passion. -
Graduate With Associates Degree
I graduated with my Associates Degree from Schoolcraft College. It felt good to have one step of my program done, but I knew that my goal was my bachelor`s degree in Education. -
Graduation From Andrews University
One of the happiest days of my life was when I graduated from Andrews University. I was the first female in my family to have completed my Bachelors degree and not only that, I had financially put myself through. Because I had worked so hard to obatain my degree, it felt like such a big accomplishment and I was walking on air when I walked across the stage to receive my degree. -
First Teaching Position
My first teaching position was at Petoskey Seventh Day Adventist Church School. It was a one room schoolhouse in Northern Michigan in beautiful Petoskey, Michigan. I had seven grades my first year teaching, so the word overwhelmed comes to mind. I was very blessed to have a supportive church family and superintendent. I had a fantastic year there, but left the following year because I got married and moved to Alberta. -
Engagement
I was visiting Dean at his parents home in beautiful British Columbia during Christmas break. On Christmas eve, we were sitting by the fire talking while the rest of his family were sleeping. All of a sudden I heard bells ringing and I saw Santa Claus enter the house. Santa handed me a box and a dozen red roses. Dean then got on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes, and here we are 18 years later. -
Wedding Day
My wedding day and the birth of my two children were the happiest days of my life. Our wedding was held in Petoskey, Michigan on a beautiful summer day. The day was magical and I remember thinking that it went by way to fast. It was wonderful to see so many friends and family gather to celebrate with Dean and I. We have been married for 18 years now and I am so glad that he is the man that I decided to walk down the aisle to spend the rest of my life with. -
Move To Alberta, Canada
After living in Michigan my entire life, I found myself not only moving across the country, but to a new country all together. I had very mixed feelings about the move. Part of me was excited about living in a new country and part of me was mourning the fact that I was leaving all of my family behind. I have now lived in Canada for 18 years and it is home now and I love it here, but I do still miss my family. -
Teach At A First Nations School
My first teaching job when I came to Canada was at Mamawi Atosken Native School. I was so happy to have a teaching position when I arrived, because there was a lack of teaching positions at that time (and still is) and I had a husband in Medical school and one of us needed to pay the bills. I loved teaching at Mamawi and it has always been my favorite school. -
Move To Ottawa, Ontario
After my husband graduated from Medical school we moved to Ottawa, Ontario to begin his residency. The east was very diferent from the west, but I loved being closer to my family in Michigan and the city of Ottawa was so beautiful. We spent five fantastic years there and I am so glad that we got to experience life in the nations capitol. -
Teaching Position In Ottawa
I was so happy to be offered a teaching position in Ottawa. Once again God opened the door so that I could continue working in the field that I love. I taught grades 4-6 and had a fantastic group of students to work with. -
Birth Of First Child
This was one of the happiest days of my life. My handsome, healthy boy was born. The first moment I laid eyes on him, I fell in love with him. My young man is now 13 years old and I can honestly say that being a mom is the best job that I could ever ask for. He and his sister are the joys of my life. I am so thankful that God blessed our family with this amazing young man. -
Birth Of Second Child
Twenty monthes after the birth of my son, my daughter was born. She is a beautiful, talented young lady that makes me laugh. Our lives were very full with these two beautiful children running around the house. I remember the first few years as a time when I was very sleep deprived, but so happy. -
Move To Kelowna, British Columbia
After my husband finished residency, we moved to Kelowna British Columbia for his work. We had such mixed emotions. We were happy that his schooling after 13 years was finally over, but we had fallen in love with the city of Ottawa, and had made so many wonderful friends that it was hard to say good-bye. Ottawa is my favorite city in Canada and I look back at that time in our life as a fantastic chapter. I love to go back and visit that gorgeous city and visit with old friends. -
Build First Home
After living in British Columbia for a few years we decided to buy an acreage and build a home. It was a huge undertaking, but we learned so much from our experience. I wouldn't say that I love building homes, but if we were ever to build another, we would have so much more wisdom in the whole building process. I have a great deal of respect for those who do it full time. -
Buy Hoome In Lacombe
As everyone knows, buying a home can be very stressful. When we decided to move from British Columbia to Alberta we had a very small window of time to find a home. We searched and searched and were not finding anything that met our families needs. Just before we were to move out here, we found a home that works really well for our family. -
Move To Lacombe, Alberta
After 10 years in Kelowna, British Columbia, my husband was offered a job at the Red Deer Regional hospital. I was so happy to move back to Alberta, because I love the praries and their are good schools for my kids to attend. Since moving here, I was offered a teaching position at Mamawi Atosketan Native School and I love being back at my old school. -
Children Attend School In Lacombe
One of the biggest concerns for me about moving, was how it ould effect the kids, especially in the area of their schooling. My concerns were laid to rest this year, when I have seen what a fantastic year that they have had and what excellent teachers they have had. We are so thankful for their school. -
Teach At Mamawi Atosketan Native School
When we moved back to Alberta, I received a phone call from the principal of MANs and they offered me a teaching position. I was so happy to have a job again, especially after just arriving in British Columbia. I love teaching at this school and working with these amazing kids. There is never a dull moment and teaching them about Jesus is so rewarding.
