Eulogy for Donna Fishwick
written by Jules Campeau, son-in-law (June 2020)
Donna Marie Hauser was born on November 30th, 1938 in Penticton, British Columbia to her parents, Sterling and Evelyn Hauser. Donna grew up on her parents’ orchard and farm, which her father managed. Both Sterling and Evelyn were musicians, and Donna soon fell in their footsteps. She started piano lessons at age 3 with Trudy Silvester. Donna was entered in many competitions and was hailed a child prodigy at a tender young age. She continued her music studies and as a teenager, Donna was asked to perform on CBC radio. She also received her A.R,C.T, in piano performance from the RCMT. Donna and Sterling had to take an overnight train to Vancouver every time she had a radio appearance or competition. It was at one of these competitions that Donna was awarded a chance to audition for the Royal College of Music in London, England. Donna’s talent perhaps was only equaled by her determination. Upon receiving the invitation to London, Donna took a chance, packed up everything, took a train across Canada, then down to New York, where she boarded the USS United States and sailed to England.
So I mentioned that Donna was determined, what was truly inspiring was that the acceptance to the college was predicated on a successful live audition. Failure at this point was not an option as she literally had no funds to return home. Of course Donna’s brilliance shone brightly at her audition and she was accepted with a scholarship.
This would only be the first of many adventures where Donna did not take no as on option. Many of us have spent an evening being regaled by the adventures of Donna. The one that always comes to mind is when Donna rented a car and drove to Southampton to visit friends who were leaving on a ship headed to New York. In those days, you could board the ship for a visit before it set sail. Of course Donna and her friend missed the announcement that the ship was leaving, and when they realized that it was time to go home, the ship was several miles out to sea. Insistant that she could; A..not go to New York as she had to return her rental car, or B..she could not afford the journey. Donna was told that she could return back to port on the Pilot Boat. The challenge was in those days, they did not have access at the water line, and the only thing that stood between Donna and her way back, was a 100 foot rope ladder climb down the side of a moving ship. Undaunted, Donna and her friend made the climb to the cheers of “GO Canada!!” from the passengers watching on board. When they finally returned to the port, they picked up the car, and crawled back to London in thick pea soup fog. This special adventure was dear to her heart, and we never tired of listening to it.
It was around this time that her soon to be love Keith, was working as a general manager for GB Olivant Import/export company in West Africa. Keith was a friend of the twin sisters that Donna lived with. Keith returned to London on leave, and dropped by the apartment to say hello to the twins. That day, he met Donna. He treated her to a beautiful dinner (so rare for starving student) and Donna decided that Keith was worth a second date. The rest was history.
Donna and Keith were married on July 27th, 1960 at Worksop Abbey in Nottinghamshire. Soon after, Donna received her degree from the Royal College of Music, as well as a Licentiate degree from the Royal Academy of Music.
Donna and Keith decided it was time for a great adventure and they immigrated back to Canada, a few months later, Keith’s parents Duncan, Grace and brother Robert also immigrated.
In and around the same time when Donna and Keith were contemplating moving back to Canada, Sterling and Evelyn were living in Whonnock, B.C. Sterling was a salesman at the time, and one day wandered down the driveway of Doreen and George Skorah, who lived in Burnaby, but owned a summer home in Whonnock. Doreen mentioned that she had 3 daughters, all of whom were studying piano, but they did not have an instrument to practice on over the summer. Sterling invited the girls to use Donna’s piano to practice. When Keith and Donna came back to Canada, the two families became instant friends. Donna became a mentor and teacher to Doreen and George’s daughters, Penny, Patsy, and Wendy, and it was Doreen who found Donna and Keith a suite to rent close to their home in Burnaby.
Donna began actively teaching piano in the Burnaby neighbourhood. She would drive to people’s houses to teach lessons, and she would teach in Doreen’s basement. Having gotten acquainted with the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood, Donna and Keith purchased a home on Yale Street, a stone’s throw for Dorreen and George. As Donna’s classes grew, she needed someone to take over the young students. She persuaded Dorreen to take the Kelly Kirby teacher’s course and thus started a lifelong partnership and friendship.
Donna’s mother Evelyn passed away shortly before Marshall was born, so it was Doreen who supported Donna through motherhood of which she was always grateful. Doreen, or Auntie Dodie as she was known to us, became a friend and confidant and sometimes a means to an end. I remember being in Las Vegas with the family, and Donna and Doreen. Some of you may know that the blocks are long in Vegas, and it can get quite hot. Well, Donna had had enough of walking in the heat and she would let us know in no uncertain terms that “Auntie Dodie was tired and needed a taxi back to the hotel”. Of course, Doreen was quite fine and would look at Donna with a conspiring smile as the two climbed in the taxi.
Now Having a home Donna set up her studio on Yale Street in Burnaby where she would begin her inspiring career as one of Canada’s greatest piano teachers. It was also at Yale Street where Donna and Keith started their family with son Marshall in 1964, daughter Camilla in 1968, and daughter Keitha in 1971.
Donna’s successful studio thrived, and she became a much sought after teacher and adjudicator. Donna also became a senior examiner for the Royal Conservatory of Music. She was considered one of their top examiners, and also mentored many young examiners.
Donna built an amazing piano studio with extremely successful students. Many of her students won gold and silver medals for their piano examinations, and won many competitions both locally and internationally. Former students, Sasha Starcevich and Wayne Weng have both received Doctorates in Music. Many of her former students are now successful teachers, and have received bachelor and master degrees from prestigious universities. Of this, Donna was always very proud.
In the early 90’s, Donna realized how powerful it was for her young students to experience performing in front of an audience, so Donna founded the Donna Fishwick Young Artistis in Recital Society. She toured all over the world with her piano group; including New York, California, several European tours, Egypt, and Musicfest Perugia. Donna was a fan of ensemble music. Her students often write to her and thank her for their experience in the ensemble. It gave the kids a fun side to their music that inspired confidence and pride as well as creating life long friendships within the ensemble.
Donna’s children followed in her artistic footsteps; Marshall is a bass guitarist and pianist, Camilla is a gifted ballet dancer and teacher, and Keitha is a classical singer and teacher.
Donna knew that her daughters needed the same foundation in the arts as she did and it was through this pursuit that Donna met Dolores Kirkwood. When Camilla was 3, Donna began looking for “the best” studio for her, it was obvious that the best teacher in the lower mainland was Dolores Kirkwood, an amazing dance instructor. Donna attended Dolores’ recital and decided that this was the place that Camilla should go. Another life long friendship ensued between Donna and Dolores. Donna played the piano for the RAD ballet exams and taught piano at Dolores’s studio in Nanaimo on the weekends. Donna and Dolores had an amazing friendship with many fun adventures and tales. I had the honour of attending several dance trips to the island and soon discovered it was rarely the kids that had to be supervised but rather Donna and Dolores at the ferry lineup. Unbeknownst to them, everyone in my truck was watching as Donna and Dolores snuck around to the back of their car, opened the trunk, pulled out a bottle of rum and some coke and proceeded to have a little cocktail before noticing all of us laughing hysterically in our car. Of course, they joined in the hilarity.
One day in 1989, Dolores and Donna were having a visit and Donna said “I think we should start a ballet company”. Dolores thought this was a great idea, and this was the beginning of the Royal City Youth Ballet. Donna was the president of the society and Dolores was the Artistic Director for over 25 years. The company started with 2 Nutcracker performances at the James Cowan Theatre, and grew to travelling all over the lower mainland with a lavish Nutcracker production, and later, Coppelia, Cinderella, and La Fille Mal Garde. The Ballet company travelled and performed to Disneyland, Disneyworld, and on several Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises.
To say that Donna kept herself busy was like saying Mozart could carry a tune. Not being satisfied with teaching full time, running a charitable piano ensemble and prolific dance company, Donna decided to found the Music Man Piano Festival, which would later become The Festival on the Lake. The annual festival continues to take place every year at the Shadbolt Center in Burnaby, and is sponsored by Tom Lee Music and the Steinway society of B.C.
Donna mainlined a very high level studio until the very end. She loved her students, and spoke fondly of them with unabashed pride. Teaching was her life’s passion; she cherished her relationships with students and their families, both past, and present.
She adored her children, their spouses and her grandchildren; Alisha, Andrew, Madeleine, Tristan and Aurora and was so full of happiness to know that she had just become a great grandmother of a beautiful little boy named Logan.
Donna was a fiercely proud mom and grandmother, always talking about her children’s, and grandchildren’s accomplishments. Alisha, a hard working brand new mom, Andrew, and incredible hockey player, Madeleine, and amazing singer and Musical theatre performer, Tristans a fantastic musician and snare drummer in the RMM Pipe Band, and Aurora, the most beautiful ballerina. Can you see a theme here?
We were all blessed to have Donna in our lives who would always travel with us all over the world often exhausting us with her passion to see and experience as much as she could while travelling or cruising the oceans.
Donna enjoyed the finer things in life; shopping, travelling, and long lunches and dinners at Le Crocodile, pink champagne, laughter, funny stories, hugs and so much love. Just having friends over and sitting around the table enjoying the warmth and love of her families and friends. Always dressed impeccably adorned with diamond and Miu Miu shoes.
Donna was a brilliant light. But like her memory, that light is inextinguishable. It shines in the successes of her children, the bright futures of her grandchildren and in the music that fills hundreds of households, studios, stages and concert halls. A music that sings her name everyday reminding us of how blessed we were to have known Donna Fishwick.