Sunday, April 05, 2015

Farewell my friend...


Much has been written over the past few days about the sudden death of Donna Messer. On April 3rd, Canada lost a woman who was known across the country as the “Queen of Networking”  and there has been an outpouring of love as people share their stories of how she helped them. 

I only wish Donna could have witnessed how much of an impact she’d had on people’s lives.

I first met Donna over twenty years ago.  She had been speaking at a board of trade event, sharing her story of how she started Orange Crate, a company she successfully ran for ten years and I went to introduce myself after her talk.  We stayed connected, as you do with Donna, and over the years, our paths would frequently cross.

But it was when I was working for government, that I first saw the power of Donna’s networking in action.  At the time I was running a program called Words on Work, where successful women would come into the classroom to share their career paths with female high school students.  Naturally Donna was quick to sign up and when we were at a conference in Stratford, where she was speaking, she “planted” her introduction of me to the audience, helping me recruit more women to my program.

That’s what Donna did.  If she believed in you and what you were doing, she’d go out of her way to make sure you met who you needed to meet.  She was like a walking rolodex with all the people she knew, always making the introductions to help you get ahead.

One of the best connections she made for me was when she introduced me to Jean Price, one of her closest friends, who fast became one of mine.   It is those friendships in life that we hold dear, because no matter how far away you may live, you just know the other person will be there for you.

And Donna was there for so many people – she was always supporting the underdog whether it was the immigrant doctor who was driving a taxi or the new entrepreneur shakily starting her business.

She was outspoken and quick to put you right if, in her opinion, you did something wrong.  I remember being told off when I forgot to bring my business cards to an event she was hosting, you can imagine her horror.J

The last time I saw Donna was on International Women’s Day on March 8 when she was receiving an award.  How fitting.  I am so pleased that she was being honoured for all that she had done to help women get ahead in life. 

Just ten days later, she was given the devastating news of her cancer, news she wanted to keep private and so we respected her wishes.  Today I know people are reeling in shock. Even those of us who knew her dire prognosis, never believed she would be taken from us so soon.

For the past eight years, Donna has been a permanent fixture at my conference.  Always a popular speaker, she attracted many of her fans to come hear her speak.  She was scheduled to speak this year, so it will be strange for her not to be with us on May 26, but I know she will be there in spirit, encouraging us to reach out and support one another.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Anne. I am so sorry for your lose and the lose to all that new her. She was a wonderful person, so giving of herself. I do remember meeting her at Company of Women events. A beautiful life taken so quickly. She will be there in the memory of all that knew her.
Janice Lee

Keka said...

Such a beautiful tribute Anne. I will most definitely miss her at this year's conference. We lost a great spirit from our world this weekend.

Unknown said...

Anne - What a beautiful Tribute to an amazing woman. I only met Donna a few times, the last one being at the event where she was honoured with her award. We had actually talked about setting up a coffee to chat more. I am saddened at the loss of a women I was just getting to know but inspired by the comments and words of grace by women Donna touched along the way.

Unknown said...

Anne, thanks for introducing us to Donna through COW many years ago! Donna has always been an endless fountain of new ideas, connections, and opportunities. She was such a generous person, giving her time and energy freely to help people grow. Her sudden death is a reminder to all of us to live out our purpose with passion and spread sunshine wherever we can!

Martha Dove said...

A heartfelt tribute and farewell to an amazing woman, and special friend, Anne. Donna's legacy, generosity and passion will continue to inspire us all. With warmest thanks, and deepest sympathy, Martha

Eva Krechowicz said...

Beautiful tribute Anne to an extraordinary woman. I met Donna at your book launch many years ago and remember her warmth and powerful presence. Although I never connected with her again, I know she will be hugely missed by so many whose lives she touched in a meaningful way.

h2oshed said...

Thank you, Anne, for sharing such a beautiful tribute for such a beautiful woman. In the years our paths crossed, the memories of Donna that are etched for me are those of her always being feisty, willingly giving of her advice and opinion, and truly focusing on the individual in front of her in the moment. To me, she was at once a fiery force, a heart-centered believer in possibility, and (of course) a genius at connection. I have learned from her, and thank her for the lessons she endeavoured to teach us all, particularly that we ought to be mindful that life (ok and business) is simply about people and connection. Thank you Donna. And thank you, Anne, for bringing Donna to Company of Women.

Karen Donaldson said...

So sad to hear about Donna, she was beautiful person, spirit, supporter and giver. She had a great impact on my life as an entrepreneur. She will be dearly missed but never ever forgotten.

Karen Donaldson
"Maximizing You Coach"
Www.karendonaldsoninc.com

Rona Maynard said...

Well said, Anne. I'll miss her too.

Donna should have years left to live but she achieved what many people never do: she knew her greatest gift and shared it far and wide with a generous heart.

Rona Maynard
Brand building through storytelling