Obituary of Donna Michelle Marie Erby

Donna Michelle Marie Erby, born Donna Michelle Marie Hardiman, to Dorothy and James Hardiman on January 15, 1944, in Saint John, New Brunswick, was a "tough old Canadian lady" with a heart of gold. She grew up on the shores of Shelburne and Sandy Point, Nova Scotia, and in 1960 met a handsome U.S. Airman, William "Bill" Leo Erby, who she would marry within a year. Donna and Bill traveled all over the world and the United States, building their own family along the way, with Ft. Lee, Virginia, being one of their favorite deployments. They lived together for the rest of his life (nearly forty eight years), until Bill left us in 2009. Donna enjoyed the excitement of a good bargain, regaling her friends and family with stories of her haggling skills and the victory of a "deal," but she was also generous to a fault. It's likely the "deals" were to be given away, much like the time she nearly gave away the house over her own head. But Donna's memory wasn't limited to tales of bargain hunts, she always had an endless supply of family stories for her children and grandchildren. Whether those stories were to distract us from ever defeating her in blackjack, we'll never know, but we will truly miss the bard of our family and wonder what new family tales she may have told. Donna's shining heart was too big for just one family, creating bonds with extended families that spanned the years, such as those with the Apostolides and Griffith families. But most of all, Donna loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her favorite pastime was painting and cooking with her grandchildren, even baking wedding cakes for her daughter's and granddaughter's weddings. Her brown bread recipe will always be safe close to our hearts, and NEVER forgotten (or shared under any circumstance).Although her family is rejoicing that she is reunited with soulmate Bill, she left us after a long battle with COPD and heart disease on January 25, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Donna is survived by her daughters, Treena (Craig) Miller of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Tammy (Mike) Sparling of Cedar Park, Texas, and Brig (Phil) Fowler of Oak Harbor, Washington; son, Bill Erby of Colorado Springs; sister, Joan Schroeder of Calgary, Alberta; brothers, Don, Roy, Scott, and Jim Hardiman; grandchildren, Amanda, Zeke, Joe E., Joe M., Noah, Michael, Aeryn, Trinity, McKenna, and Gabriella; and great-grandchildren, Eliana and Gage.The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Compassus Hospice, who provided so much comfort to her and her family in the final days. And to her daughter, Treena, who cared for Donna in the last years of her life.In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in the memory of Donna Erby to the American Lung Association (https://lung.org).See you later, alligator.