It is with great sadness that the University of Birmingham has learned of the passing of Donna Johnson, Technical Manager in Mechanical Engineering, on Friday 20 May, 2022.
Donna first joined the University in 1980 and worked in a number of engineering areas. She was known for her supportiveness and willingness to share her expertise.
You are welcome to submit a message of condolence here, which will be reviewed before publishing.
We will miss her dreadfully. A lovely lady and one for whom it was a privilege to exchange money for her charity to purchase the superb sugar-free fruit cakes she baked for me. Always a smile, nothing was ever too much, and I will always remember what a superb member of the team she was when we took one our remotely controlled systems out into Plymouth Sound. RIP dear lady ... you will not be forgotten. xx
Professor Bob Stone
I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Donnas passing. Although I only worked with her every now and again I always knew she was one of the good ones, always respectful and kind. I feel lucky to have known her. I can't imagine the pain that her family and friends will be going through and I offer them my most heartfelt condolences.
Rachel Manton (Technical Assistant)
This is very heart-breaking. Donna and I were sharing office since 2010 in the EDT group for many years. She was a very supportive and understanding friend and this is a great loss. I still have all her new year cards and never forget her home made cakes that she was bringing to the office. The words cannot describe how sad I am and my sincere condolences go out to her partner, her family and friends.
Dr Farzad Hayati
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
I am very heart broken and she will be missed. I first met Donna in 2009 in EDT group. We were in the same research group and shared the same office. She was very energetic and loved to ride bikes. We used to have tea and cakes together and I still have her Christmas cards. She was a very lovely and supportive friend and I will deeply miss her. My deepest condolences to all of Donna's family and friends.
Dr Sanaz Roshanmanesh
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Very sad to hear of the recent loss of Donna, a very calm engaging and patient person always ready to help. My condolences to her family and friends. Regards.
Dennis Harris
Estates
Dearest Donna You will be sadly missed by all your colleagues who admired and respected you. You were such a help to me with the Health & Safety Committee. Sincere condolences to your family. Rest in peace.
Jenny Bansal
Colleges of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Life and Environmental Sciences
It's very sad having to write this after learning of this awful news. Donna and I met many years ago when I was a PhD student at Birmingham and also taught her spinning class. We became good friends and have shared some very happy (and fun) memories...most of all when tired and muddy after a day of mountain biking. Donna brought so much warmth and kindness wherever she went. Donna's passing comes far too early but I hope her loved ones can find some peace in knowing the positive mark she had made on so many. Much love and thoughts, Alicia xx
Dr Alicia Greated
I was fortunate enough to work with Donna for around 6 years and to be her line manager since 2018 when she was appointed Technical Manager in Mechanical Engineering. Donna was a truly excellent Technical Manager - both in terms of her knowledge and skills and for her consideration for her team members. I always knew I could trust that she was doing a great job. Donna was a role model for fellow Technical Staff and she had a long and successful career at the University. I feel privileged to have worked with her. My sincerest condolences go out to her partner Sid, her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by colleagues in the School of Engineering and across the wider University.
Mark Jeffery (Deputy Director of Operations)
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Donna; a kind, friendly and extremely helpful person and colleague. I very much enjoyed working with her over the past six years in Engineering, she will be so greatly missed here and across the wider university. I send my love and condolences to Donna's family and friends - I hope these messages of love provide some comfort during this difficult time.
Lily Saunders (Operations Manager)
School of Engineering
Donna, you are one of those people I met at work and became instant friends. We met in EECE back in 2012 and you made me feel welcome from the get go........you were just, lovely. Thank you for our chats, the catch ups, the laughs and the socials........ I'm sorry we didn't get to do that last walk. Wherever you are, I hope there is a bike involved and that the wind is always with you.......ride free. Rest in eternal peace my friend xxx
Dana
My sincerest condolences are with Donna's loved ones at this time. Donna was always supportive and a friendly face around Engineering.
Vanessa
Donna, you will be sadly missed, you were so lovely to work with and you offered so much support with the BES Inspections and I enjoyed our little chats. Wishing you and your family courage and peace during this time of mourning.
Nichola Llewellyn (Technical Services Co-Ordinator)
Estates Office
Good friends are like stars. You can't always see them but they are there. Words cannot fill the void that you have left in me. Over the years we supported, laughed and cried together. Maybe in another world we will be able to do this again while drinking Gin. For now I'll say God bless 'Matey'.
Avril Rogers (Team Leader)
Physics and Astronomy
Dear Donna, Although our dealings were infrequent I held a very high regard for you, your work and your outlook. You were a pleasure to work with and clearly very respected amongst your peers and rightly so. A true loss. My thoughts are with you, your colleagues and family at this difficult time. With great respect, Gareth
Gareth Jones - Technical Officer Compliance Services
Estates - Maintenance - Technical Team
Donna and I became friends when I worked at Birmingham University 20 years ago. We shared a love of mountain biking and rode together for many years. We have always kept in touch, she was such a constant friend, always there during difficult times, even when she was facing challenges herself. We shared so many happy moments with curries, bakes, beers and coffees. She was a great downhiller, a super scientist, had so many other talents, but above all she was kind. I will miss her.
Professor Kirstie Ball
School of Management, University of St Andrews
Deepest condolences to all of Donna's family and friends. She was a lovely person to work with, always so helpful and friendly. May she rest in eternal peace.
Ruby Zaidi
MDS (previously SoE)
Donna’s support throughout my time at the University was invaluable, she was always there, always helpful and always dependable. Her absence will be sorely felt and will leave a hole in our community. Donna’s strength, determination and resilience were an inspiration.
Dr James Churm
School of Engineering
I was shocked and sad hearing this news. I only worked with Donna very briefly, but she left a lasting positive impression. My thoughts and best wishes go out to Donna's family and friends. I wish you all the strength you need.
Nils Warnken
Met&Mat
Donna, you were a great friend and a most valued and trusted colleague. Like everybody else, I'm going to miss you a lot. I first met you when I was doing something with oxygen lines in the furnace room, sometime around 1998. You weren't too impressed, as I recall! We worked closely and very well together for many years after that, in the clean room and laser ablation labs in Elec Eng. and there was no doubt that you were a very, very highly regarded member of the research group. It was good to see you expand your role within the School and make so many positive changes for all around you. You were always a fantastic friend, I will never forget your support, kindness and consideration when the chips were down and also the fun we had out and about - in The Bull, in the BullRing, in Barcelona, many nights out around town.
Tim Jackson
EESE/Engineering
Donna was such a ray of sunshine, always happy to help. My deepest sympathies to the family. Donna, you will be greatly missed.
Dr Anna Faroqy
Civil Engineering
Donna was a great force for good in the School of Engineering. I admired her work to make the School a more equal, diverse and inclusive place to work and study. On a personal level she was a great support to me as a disabled member of staff and always went out of her way to help me. I will miss her greatly and send my loves and best wishes to her family.
Dr Naomi Green
School of Engineering
Donna was the one who quietly do outstanding work, much loved colleague and I feel sad for such a loss. Rest in peace, Donna.
Professor M. Gashinova
EESE, SoE
My words can't come close to describe how sorry I am for your loss. Donna was a true friend; I valued her opinions and her thoughts. Her hard work and no non-sense attitude brought so much grounding and perspective to the work we were doing and she helped me mentally during many challenging times. I knew I can always rely on her to tell me what she was thinking. We only worked together a few months but then we remained close and kept in touch, talking about house hunting and then moves, talking about trails to cycle or walk... I really can't find words to say how much I will miss her. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Ms Irina Hoffman
Met&Mat
I am saddened to hear the passing of my colleague and friend Donna. Donna had always there as a kind, friendly and supportive colleague throughout my time at Birmingham when I was a student in the lab, a postdoc in EDT group and now a faculty member. Donna meticulously managed the clean room facility at Gisbert Kapp and made great contribution to the EDT group. She helped develop a fabrication process and co-author one of my papers in 2007. I admired her for taking adventurous sports and for overcoming physical and emotional setbacks with positivity. Donna will be greatly missed.
Dr Yi Wang
EESE/Engineering
Thank you for everything you had done to our University. Rest In Peace, dear friend. Wishing you comfort and peace.
Hoang Le (PhD student)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
I will miss your home made mince pies at xmas. Take care my friend..
Adnan Zentani
Tech, Eng
With deepest sympathy and please accept my condolences.
Dr Milla Shah
God bless your soul Donna. RIP, Jas
Mr Jas Bahra
Mechanical Engineering
Thank you Donna for all your help, guidance and support. It was my privilege to call you my friend and colleague. You will be greatly missed. Sending love to your family.
Jackie Deans
Technical Manager
An absolute professional, a friendly face, and a supportive shoulder. A lady who didn't allow her gender limit her role, her capabilities or her quest for high standards. Her generous support for her colleagues on so many occasions was appreciated by so many, and Donna will be very missed across the College by those she touched directly and those who didn't know it but whose safety lay in her very capable hands behind the scenes. We are much poorer for her loss.
Katherine
Senior Admin
Donna could always make me laugh even when I was upset. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten. May you find peace.
Sarah WilliamsEducation Support Administrator Engineering
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Donna. My deepest sympathy. Donna had been a kind and supportive colleague. Donna, may you rest in peace.
Dr Nan Gao Mechanical Engineering
I am shocked and saddened to hear that Donna has passed away. I want to send my condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues. It is often hard to find the right words at a time like this. May they find peace, comfort, and all the love you need in the days to come.
Dr Azar G Shirazi School of Mathematics
Sad to hear of Donna's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. She was always so supportive and kind. She will be greatly missed.
Khadijat OlorunlambeTeaching Fellow Department of Mechanical Engineering