"It's precious to us, how much she has touched the community."
Within a few days of her diagnosis about six months ago, Dr Donnell was forced to cut things back rapidly, and the past few months were spent surrounded by her husband, children Rebecca and Sam, mother and four sisters.
"We had plans to do more together," Mr Burton said. "She was my best mate."
Together the couple had travelled the world, watched the Tour de France, cycled in Spain and cheered on local rugby teams, he said.
Daughter Rebecca Burton said there was "a lot" to miss about her mum.
"Whenever I was unsure, she was always the one to encourage me," she said. "She always sent me advice."
Miss Burton said her mum was a keen cook.
"I'm going to miss the ritual of reading through recipes with her," she said.
Miss Burton said her mother "really enjoyed helping people through her job".
Dr Donnell began her career with the Plunket Buildings Medical Centre, before the opening of Hinemoa House in 1999.
Dr Mike Williams, with whom she co-owned the practice, described her as its "backbone, for many years."
Dr Williams described her as a woman who wore many hats.
"Not only was she involved in all the aspects of running our practice, she was a board member of Rotorua Area Primary Health services, sat on many critical committees and organised and chaired a peer support group for local doctors.
"She will surely be missed, she had all the qualities that modern medicine requires."
Dr Donnell also spent four years working for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, and her family described her as a keen sports fan.
Keith Roberts who was a strength and conditioning coach alongside Dr Donnell said her death was "a major loss to the health community and the community at large".
Clayton McMillan, coach of the Bay of Plenty Steamers, said Dr Donnell was "unique".
"She was the first female doctor associated with a rugby team in the Bay of Plenty," Mr McMillan said.
"She was exactly what we wanted, all the boys trusted her, and she was always able to get them back out on the field quickly."
Dr Donnell was a competitive athlete herself, an active member of the Rotorua Association of Triathletes (RATS) and a club champion numerous times.
Carol Howard, RATS vice president, said she was "one of our 'front row girls' at spin class, first up the hill on Saturday bunch rides, first lady in the pool at swim squad, first to volunteer herself (and Russell) for aid station duties, and first to ask how an event experience was".
Her friends, Deborah Jolly and Irene Law, went biking in her honour yesterday.
"We benefited from what a neat lady she was," said Mrs Jolly. "She had a competitive streak, but she was very caring, always interested to know what you are up to."
Mrs Law added: "We had our adventures, we tried to be young again."
