The Passing of Donna Holm

Dear Sir, Dorje Loppon,
Thank you and your family, so nice to see Phillip today and doing well, and to Donna, Lady Holm, who gathered all of us today to celebrate Sangha, Devotion, Dharma, as well the highest Shambhala principals.
To the beautiful poems and contributions of many Shambhala Warriors and Bodhisattvas in the assembly and on-line.
To the wonderful Halifax Shambhala Center, to the Makkhi Rabjam Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
KI KI SO SO Lha Gyel Lho.
Lodro, your presentation and Dharma teachings at the ceremony were amazing.
Yours in the True Command,
Thank you
Didier

Merciless Ming!
Fiercely
Full of wisdom, compassion
Love
Mecurial no leaks messanger
Bare wire to secret office
Warrior
Thought of you
All the years since.
Right now
Vivid!
Halifax
Crocus offering
Peering through snow
As music
for your jounney

Adhistana!
Dangerous Dan

So many facets and colors to Donna’s nature. Emerald Prajna, such a friend and blessing to all so fortunate to be near her wellspring of brilliance. Donna, the only lady, together with the Vajra Regent and a few Vajra brothers repeatedly gazing in wonderment at Annie Lennox’s performance on my monster 7’ Sony home TV screen in 1983. Such ease to sense Donna’s energy as reflected in this first couple of songs.
Donna’s outrageous, engaging laughter playing with the space—sparkles before she speaks. https://youtu.be/v3sR9J6t-6g

I didn't know Donna well. I only met her a few times.
And yet ... Some how she made a mark on my mind.
Our first meeting was by phone, and the impression that stays with me was a kind of fierceness and clarity. Then soon after we met in person, and she manifested as cheerful and kind. So what has stayed with me is an impression of a strong women with the rare ability to manifest in the moment as the moment required.
Even though I never knew her well, the news of her passing so suddenly has touched me deeply.
Much Love to Lodro and their son.

Donna was a 'cosmic' force within many dimensions of our sangha and Shambhala society. Proclaimed Lady Holm by the Druk Sakyong, she was one of his closest Court family friends and contributors, just as she was in the family of the Vajra Regent. Lady Holm also had enduring impact in the Office of the Sakyong as counselor, trusted friend and voice (sometimes sharp - always honest) with acerbic humor underlying deep caring for each and all. So much to be said, but just this brief acknowledgement at the moment. Donna was the Loppon's dearest and devoted partner for near 50 years. As a friend she was willing to be challenging, and as a housemate, much the same - co-creating with me, Gina and of course the Loppon, one of the few Shambhala households named by the Druk Sakyong - Upaya House - 'house of skillful means'. And for a subsequent 40 years close and enduring friends with me and Susanna. Ki Ki So So ! Donna- Lady Holm - may the tears of our crying produce future warriors!!

With a heart full of affection and admiration, the board of the Vajra Regent Ösel Tendzin Library & Archives observes the passing of Donna Holm, on Tuesday of this week, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Donna was one of the founding members of the VRÖT Library when it was first established in 1991. As it was during her lifetime, and continued following the parinirvana of the Vajra Regent, she served as the editor-in-chief of his written teachings with great care, professionalism and dedication. I personally, and all of us owe a debt of gratitude to Donna for her contribution to the furthering of the aspirations of our teachers, the Vidyadhara and the Vajra Regent. We will miss our friend Donna with her sharp mind and wry wit. Lady of the Court, we wish her a good journey.

Lila Rich

My deepest condolences to Donna's family. Certainly now, is a lonelier world. Soon we will all be with you. R.I.P. thoughts in my practice are with you and your family.

I first met Donna in a small town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia a few years before I met the Vidyadhara and, as it turned out, she was instrumental to my coming into contact with the sangha, so I can never repay her kindness. My memory is that she was visiting from Chicago after being affected by the turmoil of the 1968 Democratic convention and she and her female friend were quickly absorbed into a cohort of good locals and nick-named the 'Chicaga Tomatas' due to their engaging personalities and sparkiness. We became quite close and I will always remember her for her acerbic wit, her incisive prajna, her humor and her devotion...
She has been a dear dharmic sister to us all, and will be missed.

I’m grateful for your powerful presence in our sangha. Farewell to your soaring bird’s imprint. Take my love with you straight to our guru’s heart.

Dearest Donna, such a striking, beautiful being, I feel honoured to have met you.
A heart student of the Vidyadhara, close to the Regent; your outrageous, but sweet nature stopped me in my tracks.

I helped move you and the Dorje Loppon many years ago, in Halifax, and you offered me a beautiful gift of Channel creme... I loved it so much.

May you listen to the Vidyadhara's voice, for his precious striking teachings, filled with sweetness for your vajra ears.

For my Vajra sister, go forth unruffled, with devotion, courage and outrageous clarity, never forgetting the ever changing and never ending vajra journey. Listen to the Vidaydhara's voice Donna. With so much love, Ani Chodron so sad at your passing.

I often think of Donna, often the only woman in a board room of men, stick- handling them with such skill they hardly knew what was happening to them!
With her single eye, nothing escaped her vision. Big love never dies, not really.

Fierce tigress with a big heart. Sending you and your family love as you journey onwards, dear Donna.

Grateful for the good times we had together weeding the garden beds just so, organizing the kitchen cabinet just so, folding the sheets just so, sipping ice water just so! And laughing on the patio under the green leaves in the hot sun. All times when Nowness ruled. Just so. Bon voyage, good Lady.

I’m sad to hear of Donna‘s passing and I am passing along my condolences to her family.

If Donna was speaking at the next table at Dharma Sushi, I would try really hard to eavesdrop. One time this happened and I heard her say that it was very important to debate with teenagers, they have so much wisdom and they really want to practice sharpening what they understand.
That has stayed with me.

Wishing Donna and all the family Best Wishes at this time.

Dear Donna,
I will never forget your Vajra gaze and tender heart
Vajrayogini in person, logical mind didn't stand a chance
Eyes flashing like lightning, sharp fangs, and warm embrace
The genuine dharma had no greater protector
Your refined words, and tasteful space raised our gaze
to what is important, what is possible, how to be dignified and kind
I will miss your gentle heart and playful speech
Dagmema to the Dorje Loppon
Precious dakini protector, be with us always

I am so glad to have seen Donna early last summer in Halifax. The Dorje Loppon, Philip and extended family have my deepest sympathy and love.

I was so sorry to hear of Donna's passing. My love goes out to the Dorje Loppon and his family.