Obituary of Donna Chapdelaine

Donna Chapdelaine, 72, of Denver, passed away peacefully at home on May 16, 2026, after a long illness.

Donna was born and raised in Rhode Island into a large French-Canadian family. The eldest of the seven children, she was grounded in responsibility, hard work, and integrity. In her early twenties, Donna felt called to serve and enlisted in the U.S. Army, proudly serving during the Vietnam War. She advanced quickly, earning the rank of Sergeant, and received an honorable discharge after four years of dedicated service.

Donna settled in Denver, where she fell in love with city life and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. She earned a B.A. in Chemistry under the G.I. Bill and began her career in the laboratories at Fitzsimons Army Base and briefly for the City of Denver.

Her curiosity led her to jobs in sales and telecommunications, but she found her true calling as a field representative for the Veterans Administration, where she ultimately retired. In that role, she stood with fellow veterans, passionately advocating for their rights to receive the benefits they deserved. Her dedication and compassion truly changed lives, and she spoke warmly of the many veterans she was honored to help.

A lifelong learner, she was an avid reader and took college classes well into retirement, always eager to explore new ideas. She found creative joy in art and sculpting, and she was passionate about healthy living. She loved hiking, yoga, and long walks, approaching each day with boundless energy.

Donna sympathized with those less fortunate and found ways to give of her time and resources to help others. She weathered hard times of her own and quietly suffered from PTSD. She was an ardent believer in women’s rights and spent much of her life speaking up for equality, dignity, and opportunity. She was fiercely independent and resilient, always finding solutions to life problems with her determination and ingenuity.

Intelligent, outspoken, and endlessly curious, Donna enjoyed engaging in long conversations where she shared her life, her perspectives, and engaged others about their life’s journey and shared experiences. She found joy in life’s small pleasures—from a good meal to a shared moment of silliness—and inspired those around her to do the same.

Friends and family will remember her big smile, her spunky, fun-loving spirit, and the unmistakable way she lived life on her own terms. Her warm, vibrant presence left a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to know her. She was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and true friend, and she will be deeply missed.

Donna was predeceased by her father, Normand, and two brothers, Donald and Paul. She is survived by her mother, Gisele; her brothers, Andre, Marc, and Norman; her sister, Amy; their spouses; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves cherished friends who stood by her with love and loyalty until the very end.