The Story Behind the Stories
Marie Donais Calder
Author • Speaker • King Charles III Coronation Medal Recipient
Marie Donais Calder is an author whose stories are rooted in real life, perseverance and the power of connection.
She is best known for her Other Side series, a collection of young adult and adult historical fiction novels inspired by her father, Edmond Joseph Donais. These books are based on true events and explore the relationships, hardships and hope that shaped lives during and after the Second World War.
Marie’s desire to further honour all who have and who continue to serve our country led her to write Together Forever In The Clouds. This book Chronicles, the lives of 21 Young RCAF airmen who served valiantly in World War II. They continued their service after the war and tragically died together in a plane crash on September 15, 1946, just outside of Estevan, Saskatchewan. They died after the war, which means their names were not engraved on cenotaphs. They were virtually forgotten yet. They left a hole in the hearts of their friends and families. MARIE wrote the book, she organized the building of a cairn at the crash site, held a three-day weekend for friends and families of the victims and narrated YouTube video which features the song she wrote for these courageous and forgotten young airmen.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/ctv-national-news/video/?clipId=2125210
Marie also writes children’s books that are filled with warmth, imagination and heart. Her stories invite young readers to explore emotions, kindness and the simple moments that matter most.
Marie is now writing about impactful events in her own life. Sunshine Gone-Marie’s Story takes her readers through her happy early years and into darkness when her dad died. She was only eleven years old. There were no counsellors available to assist the grieving little girl. But somehow she came out of the darkness with a fierce determination to utilize her dreadful experience to help others.
Going Blind – Marie’s Story focusses – pardon the pun – on the challenges of diminishing or lost eyesight. She is completely blind in one eye and legally blind in the other. This work serves to offer hope and support to others in her boat. It also serves to assist family and friends of the blind person.
Recognition & Community Impact
Marie’s work extends beyond writing books.
In 2025, she was honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her contributions to her community and country.
Marie is also a Competent Toastmaster, reflecting her commitment to communication, public speaking, and lifelong learning.
Through her writing, speaking, volunteer work, and advocacy for individuals living with vision loss, Marie continues to educate, inspire, and connect with audiences of all ages.
The Story At The Heart Of It All
Ed served during and after the Second World War. Stationed in Leer, Germany, with the Allied Occupation Force after the war, Ed formed a friendship with a little German boy, Johann, and his family. The soldiers were given a direct order not to help the German people. In spite of the threat of being sent to jail for disobeying this order, Ed found a way to save the family. “It was by way of Eddie that we were to be fed,” stated one of the members of the German family.
Johann’s family had every right to be suspicious of strangers, but they immediately welcomed Ed, whom they called Eddie, into their home. Their relationship was one of trust, kindness and gratitude. The family had someone to protect them; Ed had a ‘family’ to spend time with. They saved him every bit as much as he saved them.
Marie was born a few years after Ed returned to his family. He would often sit Little Marie on his knee on the rocking chair, sing to her and then show her the photos he brought back from his time in Germany. These were the seeds that blossomed into the 25-book Other Side series.
Family, Perseverance, and Purpose
Marie’s writing accelerated in 2001 when her eyesight had declined to the point where she could not continue her career in education. The entire month of September was spent feeling lost; she didn’t know how to go on. But then, a close friend and fellow member of her writer’s group, gave her a boot in the butt that she sorely needed.
Consequently, Marie sat down at her computer to begin writing the stories told to her by her dad when she was just a little girl. The result was a 25-book series aimed at an audience aged 9-109. Writing is her passion and it seems she cannot stop creating literature for all ages. Since she lost her eyesight, she has discovered a lack of knowledge and support for those who are blind or have low vision. She is, therefore, currently working on a non-fiction book on the subject as well as a companion children’s book. Marie is literally blind in one eye and can barely see out of the other. Her goal is to help those who are struggling through these issues and feel isolated and alone. She includes tips and tricks to help others live a less stressful life.
