Donna Jean Haley was born in Walkerville, Ontario in 1929. She was the only child of the late Aubrey G. Haley and the late Frances A. Haley. She attended Hugh Beaton High School and Walkerville Collegiate Institute in Windsor, Trinity College at the University of Toronto and the Osgoode Hall Law School. After her call to the Bar in 1955 she practised law in Toronto. During that time, she was Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Status of Pensions in Ontario (1977-1981) and the Chairman of the Pension Commission of Ontario for nine years.
In 1981 she was appointed to the bench. She served as a judge of the County Court of York and of the District Court of York and at her retirement from the bench in 2002 she was a Judge of the Superior Court of Ontario. Her prime interest was in the law relating to estates and trusts and mental incompetency.
Music as a singer and as a violinist was her chief avocation with a suitable sprinkling of games’ playing and outdoor activities. She was an avid camper, lawn bowler, occasional golfer and snooker player. As a lifelong supporter of the Girl Guide movement, she was a Cadet leader, National Music Adviser and Commissioner for Companies and Packs on Foreign Soil.
In 2010 she left Toronto to live beside the ocean (a life-long dream) in Sidney, British Columbia with her friend of over 50 years, Marion Rogers, and her family.
Donna had a happy and busy life and wishes her friends laughter, music and love in theirs.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, North Saanich, B.C., Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 2:00 pm.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorial donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Suite 410-245 Eglington Ave. East, Toronto, M4P 3J1.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Peter Griffin
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Marsha Fisher (O’Brien) Although Donna had her own Guide Company, she was known to me through mutual exchange in testing, camping and musical experiences shared with the company of Dorothy McBride. Later when they began the first Cadet Cadet Company in Toronto, I was privileged to be a member.
A special memory of my time with Donna was the camping trip out west in 1959.
I was able to keep in touch through the years and across the miles through letters and cards and was concerned when there was no contact this year.
I am sorry to hear of her passing and extend my condolences to Marian and her family.
Marsha Fisher (née: O’Brien)
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Kenneth R Peel I extend my condolences to the companion & family of the late, the Honourable, Donna Haley. I had the opportunity of just once appearing before her as counsel when she sat as an Ontario Superior Court Justice, but she was a friend to my parents, the late Margaret [d. Dec. 6 2022 at 100 +yrs.] and Ronald [d. Feb. 2020] Peel – whom Donna Haley met on a Rocky Mountain trail somewhere with a shared black bear sighting! She marked this later with an Xmas gift of a small stuffed bear toy, that always brought a cheerful recall. They met up for West Coast visits too, I think, in later years as all retired in the West. So we mark Justice Haley’s passing, thank her, and wish all well at this time of passing. Regards – Kenneth R. Peel
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Donald Vanstone Donna was our dear friend, next-door neighbor, and lawyer (until her move west). Her Girl Guide meetings were often held in her backyard next door. After her move west we were fortunate enough to keep in touch by phone, email, and mail.
We join her other friends in mourning her loss.
Donald & Elaine Vanstone
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Heather Mulchey Donna was my Girl Guide leader, 7th Cadet Company. That was over 60 years ago. Several of my fellow guides still get together occasionally and have maintained contact with Donna. She was our inspiration. We will miss her deeply.
I have made a donation to the Nature Conservatory of Canada in her memory.
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John Corp In 1981, I was a member of the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA), representing Manitoba. CAPSA was an intergovernmental body of those governments which had enacted pension legislation. Donna was chair. After finishing her Royal Commission, she proposed and it was agreed that CAPSA would design a uniform set of proposals which the various governments could use to guide them in the next generation of pension legislation. This was not an easy task but under Donna’s brilliant leadership, the consensus was achieved. Her leadership, firm but fair, with what was a very diverse group was an object lesson in the art. I learned so much from her and hold her in the highest regard. RIP Donna
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Sheila Snelgrove So sorry to hear this news. I remember many happy years of singing with Donna in the Palmer Singers, a chamber choir in Toronto. Always cheerful, always prepared and a joy to be with.
RIP Donna and lead the choristers in heave in all of the wonderful music we sang with Catherine Palmer in those days.
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A. Nancy McNeil (Gibson) Dear Marion Rogers and Family:
Thank you for posting the death notice of Donna Jean Haley in the Windsor Star paper.
As a high school classmate of Donna’s, I was aware of her potential for success in the legal and judicial fields.
Thank you for being there for her toward the end of her life. Life as an only child can be very lonely.
Blessings To You, Nancy McNeil (nee Gibson)
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Ronald Smith Please accept our condolences, Marion and Donna’s family. Donna, a life member of the Sidney Lawn Bowling Club was a loved and highly respected club member who will be remembered for her strong character, sportsmanship and love of bowling. A true friend and wonderful club member generous in her support of the club both financially and through sharing her life experience by providing guidance to the club executive. Of special note was her consistent support of the club’s junior program as her contribution toward the future of lawn bowling. A beautiful woman in heart and soul she will be missed.
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Marnie Fleming Donna Haley and our Mom, Wilma Fleming (née Allen)were very close while growing up in Walkerville/Windsor. Their birthdays were a week apart so January was an exciting time for the young girls with two birthday parties in a row! They remained lifelong friends until my Mom passed away in 2019 at the age of 90. Thank you to the dear soul who posted her obit in the Globe and Mail and the Windsor Star. We never met Donna but our Mom adored her and was very proud of her hugely successful friend. Rest in peace Donna Haley.
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Malcolm Archibald I knew Donna for many years as a lawyer and was very fortunate to work with her when she was a judge because we were both involved with estate law in Ontario. Donna was an outstanding judge and lawyer. I send my heart-felt condolences to Marion.
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Ronald Slaght Justice Haley was a superb arbiter, beyond smart, commanding the courtroom, just the right amount of humour, hard working, practical and efficient, and clearly enjoying herself in the bargain. Such a treat and pleasure to appear before her.
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Joan McPhedran As a Cadet Leader, Donna instilled in us her love of nature, the importance of community involvement and the joy of singing. Our trip to Banff in 1959 on a school bus, camping, cemented friendships that remain to this day. Thank you Donna. We will miss you.
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Heather and Ron Mulchey Had the privilege and honour of knowing Donna through guiding for over 60 years
An extremely caring and ethical person in every respect
We extend our condolences to Marian and her family on the loss of Donna
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David Neelands Donna Haley was a unique friend and adviser for many years, sharing her knowledge and money carefully. She made a huge difference to the life of St. Philip’s Anglican Church in Toronto and to Trinity College, where she personally sponsored the new Psalter for the services and herself sang in the gathered choir when she was able. She led a life well lived.
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Sheila Parker When we were 15 years old Donna was our Cadet leader. She was an inspiration and set high standards for us all. We had many adventures, sang and learned a lot. We became friends and now sixty-five years later are still a close group. We mourn the loss of our dear friend.
Sheila Parker
I echo Mr. Slaght’s words-he and I spent 180 days of trial time in front of Justice Haley in the Pearson Airport case. What better exposure to her intelligence and charm controlling the courtroom with a combination of no nonsense yet sense of humour. She made what could have been in every word a trial into an enjoyable advocacy experience.