Donna Christine Singleton passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on February 18, 2025, in Ottawa, ON. She was born on February 2, 1945 in Sioux Falls, SD, to the late Donald and Elizabeth (née Goettsch) Torguson. Donna is predeceased by siblings Bruce Torguson and Terry Klinger. She is survived by her husband Donald Singleton, sons Taran (Arturo) and Daniel (Karin) and grandchildren Braeden, Claire, and Ewan, brothers Eric (Sandra) and Brian Torguson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Donna and Don were married in 1966 in Davis, CA. Their pursuit of education and career opportunities led them to Evanston, IL and then to Boulder, CO before settling in Ottawa.
Donna attended UC Davis and later studied at Algonquin College. She worked as a nurse at Queensway Carleton Hospital, and she retired as a Nursing Informatics specialist at the Royal Ottawa Hospital in 2005. Beyond her professional achievements, Donna was a woman of many interests. She practiced yoga and spent many years as a yoga instructor. An avid reader, she was an active member in her book club. Donna enjoyed memoir writing classes and her stories were inspired by her childhood adventures in Aberdeen, SD and Davis, CA. She loved cooking, painting, birding, playing the mandolin and tending her gardens including the rock garden with her gnome collection. Nana Donna especially cherished the summers at the cottage spent with her grandkids.
A celebration of her life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday June 6, 2025 at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, in Ottawa.
Digital Guestbook
Fran Turner
Nancy & Steve Hutchinson
We knew Don and Donna and the two boys for many years, first as young families in the condos on Shefford Road, then as next-door neighbours on St. Jerome St. in Orleans. Donna, A lovely lady who will be missed.
anna rumin
Donna took many of my memoir-based writing courses and short fiction courses. I remember her voice - that tender, gentle tone that was easy to listen to. I remember the care with which she wrote; the way she brought birds and trees and fields to life on a page, the way that plums felt and how she listened and gave thoughtful feedback to others. Donna wasn't afraid of crying and the vulnerability she brought as a writer inspired us all.
Through Maryan O'Hagan and our book club I got to know Donna. Always, her comments were thoughtful and perceptive. She is missed.