Obituary of Glenn Walter Donnelly

Dr. Glenn Walter Donnelly, of Regina, SK, passed away peacefully on Saturday June 26, 2021 at the age of 69 years. Predeceased by his parents, Lois and Walter Donnelly,  Glenn is survived by his spouse, Jo-Anne; daughters, Alexandra of Calgary, AB, Katherine (Clayton) Strutt; granddaughter, Stetsin of Regina SK; sister Wendy (Brock) Rush of Calgary and brother Gary (Sandy) Donnelly of Stoughton SK; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

Glenn was born and raised in Stoughton, SK. Instead of following the family tradition of farming, he moved to Edmonton, AB and got his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. He provided 19 years of service in the field of Emergency nursing. In that time, Glenn received his Master of Nursing from the University of Calgary, Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Education from the University of Regina, his national ER Nursing Certification and completed the theory portion of the post Masters Diploma-Advanced Nurse Practitioner from the University of Toronto. Glenn also acted as the Head Nurse at the Medical Teaching Unit at Royal Columbian Hospital, New West Minster, B.C., was Assistant Director of Care at the Coronary Care Unit at the Regina General Hospital, was the Executive Director of the Victorian Order of Nurses in Regina, and taught Nursing that the Wascana Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Douglas College in Surrey, B.C. In 2016, he was promoted to Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Research at the University of Regina where he announced a new Masters of Nursing Program designed to prepare clinical nurse specialists. Glenn’s work in advanced practice nursing has resulted in consultations at the several Canadian and International Universities. His work was used in the development of the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Nursing Master of Nursing-Nurse Practitioner program. He has published numerous research findings, journal articles, papers, and book chapters. When reflecting on Glenn’s unbelievable accomplishments, his long list of credentials and successful career of 45 years, it is hard to comprehend how any person could have achieved what he has. He had a passion for inspiring, teaching, learning; for moving the field of nursing forward – this passion lived in his bones influencing and inspiring, not just his students and colleagues, but his family.

Glenn retired from the University of Regina in 2018. Since his retirement, he spent the majority of his time with his family including playing with his granddaughter Stetsin. In his retirement, he cherished his family and his love of gardening. He experienced true happiness when he was visiting with his family and friends. Glenn was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend and parishioner.

Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK, on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with a tea to follow. Friends wishing to make donations, in memoriam, to the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association, 2066 Retallack Street, Regina, SK S4T 7X5 or to St. Paul’s Cathedral, 1861 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK S4P 2R2.