Maguire (McIntyre), Donna Margaret, 86, of Indian Harbour, passed away peacefully March 13th, 2024 at the QEII Halifax Infirmary. Donna was a beloved wife to Thomas John Maguire for 59 years, treasured mother to Danny, Randy and T.J., a gifted artist and wonderful friend to so many. She leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth and vibrant art that will forever endure.

Donna was the daughter of John D. and Mary Florence (Penny) McIntyre and younger sister to the late Marilyn Mullan (McIntyre) and Kevin McIntyre. She is survived by her husband Tom, son T.J., numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, cousins and her cat Molly.

Donna was born in Halifax, grew up in Dartmouth, then Toronto before returning to Halifax (Waverley) as a teen. From a young age she loved horses, watching them cart goods to the market on the Halifax ferry and eventually learning to ride them at the Bengal Lancers. A lifelong artist, she couldn’t recall a time when she didn’t want to draw or paint. She studied under successful Maritime artists John Cook, Ruth Wainwright and Jean Edmonds Hancock. Donna loved to paint nature, portraits and animals, including many images of horses.

After graduating from the Halifax Vocational School, she worked as secretary to the regional vice-president of Air Canada before focusing on raising her family and finding success as a real estate agent. In the mid 90’s she attended a Colour and Composition Workshop in the South of France, a milestone in her artistic development. While in France she spent a week in Paris touring “in awe” the Louvre, the D’Orsay and L’Orangerie. She would also visit her sister and family on Hornby Island, BC where she became friends with many artists including Joy McAughtrie, Robert Bateman and Judith Lawrence.

Her love of art became her full time focus again when she moved to the Peggy’s Cove area in the mid 90’s, converting an abandoned house into Rogues Studio Gallery where her art was created and is still displayed. Here she lived close to nature, found many friends and an incredibly supportive community.

Donna was a strong and caring woman who guided by example and supported many local causes. Donations may be made in her honor to Adsum for Women and Children, Hope for Wildlife, The Sable Island Institute, The Halifax Lancers or the SPCA. Friends and family are invited to her gallery on May 11th & 12th, 2024 to share memories and experience her art.

Celebration of Life & Art

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

Saturday, May 11th, and Sunday May 12th, 2024

Rogues Gallery

8355 Peggy’s Cove Road, Indian Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada

Donna’s art may also be viewed online at www.MaguireArt.ca or on Instagram @MaguireArt .