McDonald, Donna Marie (Manuel) – age 77, of Dartmouth, passed away on the morning of Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in Dartmouth General Hospital following a brief illness, Born in Musquodoboit Harbour by a midwife, she was a daughter of the late Earl Manuel and Edna (Morash) Manuel Carpenter. Donna worked for more than 27 years with Moirs Chocolate Factory in Dartmouth where she made many friends. She lived in several communities in Nova Scotia. She was a member of Royal Canadian Legion Somme Branch #31 in Dartmouth. She loved to go dancing – sometimes five times a week if she had the chance. Donna enjoyed going to the Buffalo Club for the music, entertainment and karaoke night, and to the Young at Heart Club to play cribbage. She was a wonderful cook, loved to bake, make jams, jellies and pickles. She liked sewing, knitting, making flower arrangements, puzzles and card games on her computer. She was an avid walker, always going with a bottle of water in hand. Donna liked going for drives with friends and then out to eat. Thrifting was her thing, and you never knew what she might bring home. Temu online was her latest way to buy clothes, shoes and anything else she liked, always looking like a million bucks. The first time she was on a plane she went to Cuba and last year went on a cruise which she loved and couldn’t stop talking about. She organized her 75th birthday party. She said she wanted to see her family and friends have a good time. Although we think she did it for the dancing and dance she did! She said she wasn’t sure how many years she had left and wanted to enjoy them. Donna had a heart of gold and a long list of friends, old and new. You know who you are and she loved you. Surviving are her children, Michael Hickey and Annette Hickey; grandsons, Justin and Christopher; many extended family members on the Carpenter side, nieces, nephews and cousins. She will also be missed by her cat, Squeaky. The last surviving member of her immediate family, she was predeceased by siblings, Eleanor, Judith, Ann, Margaret, Gloria and Tomas. She was also predeceased by her first husband, Michael Hickey Sr., second husband and love of her life, Richard McDonald. Cremation has taken place. Burial will be at a later date in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery, Enfield. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice. We are sure she is up there dancing, and the next time you’re dancing, think of Donna!
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