| WORCESTER� Donna M. Murphy, 60, passed away peacefully on December 4th at the UMass Memorial Healthcare in Worcester, surrounded by loving friends. Her journey through life included Boston, Canton and Worcester, where she resided with her devoted caretaker, Nancy Chakuas, Nancy's husband Joseph, and their sons Joseph III and Benjamin. Donna leaves the Chakuas family, Donald Swenson of Holden, Ruth and Robert Sweeney and family of Danvers, and many other dear friends. Donna was a proud graduate of the Massachusetts Hospital School in Canton and of Assumption College in Worcester, where she received her BA and MA, graduating with highest honors, summa cum laude. During the last 22 years, she worked at the UMass Memorial Hospital as a valued social worker and discharge planner. Her service there helping countless others, which brought her great personal satisfaction, did not go unrecognized; Donna was named Employee of the Year by the Worcester Area Employ the Handicapped Committee in both 1975 and 1984. Always known for her generous spirit and cheerful disposition, Donna loved spending time with children, working on her computer and watching others have fun. She found particular fulfillment in sharing a family life with the Chakuas family. Donna was an avid television viewer and a lifelong fan of the World Champion Boston Red Sox. Donna had a special love for her dog, Heidi, who sadly predeceased her. |
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| Dear Donna (Murph), I dedicate this page in Memory of you because you were my oldest and dearest friend for over 40 years. You were always the sensible one, the caring one, the generous one. You were also the matchmaker who introduced Bob and I. A true angel here on earth!! I copied your obituary here also as it is an amazing article done by your family, an article for which they received many compliments. I regret that I did not get to share with you the news I had received only three days before your passing. You were in ICU and I could not call you or get to you unfortunately. It was something that would have touched your heart as you often thought and spoke to me of your own unkown biological family. We often shared our dreams, hopes, and fears so now I share this with you. I received a phone call on an early evening at the end of November, 2004 from a brother that my Mom had given up for adoption when he was just about one year old. He had been searching on and off for several years and with leads from various agencies and his adoptive family and with one phone call to a first cousin in Maine, he finally made the contact he so longed for. He lives in Florida now and we share information and pictures via email and talk often on messenger and phone. Perhaps someday we will get to meet one another. He has already met other family members living closer to him. One life leaves, another enters. - Bev |
| Note from Bev: Donna had a form of Muscular Dystrophy and she was one of Jerry's Kids. She appeared on a local television network with Natalie Jacobson of Channel 5 news in Boston as part of that telethon. She worked full-time in Social Services. Donna accomplished more than a lot of able-bodied people only hope to do. She is the perfect example of 'where there is a will, there is a way'! A true inspiration for all. I miss you a lot Donna. We will meet again. Save a good spot for me!!! (PS Donna: Make sure there is computer technology up there cause I don't want to be without one) SMILE!!! |
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| The midi playing is "Tears in Heaven" |