Donna Eva McKenney

Other Events and Attributes:

• Moved to: 1948, New Durham, Strafford County, New Hampshire; Ralph and Donna relocated to New Durham, NH in 1984.
• Census: 1950, Athol, Worcester County, Massachusetts; In the 1950 US Census, she was recorded, age 8, living in Athol, Massachusetts with her parents.
• Obituary: 28 Jun 2019; New Durham, NH Donna E. Durkee, age 77, of New Durham, passed away peacefully at home on June 27, 2019, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Born August 28, 1941 in Orange, MA to Donald W. McKenney and Cecile J. (Boiteau) McKenney Raffa, she was also stepdaughter of the late Stephen A. Raffa. She resided in Danvers, MA with her late husband Ralph I. Durkee and together they operated Durkee’s Donut Shop in Lynn, MA. They relocated to New Durham, NH in 1984. During her spiritual search, she had been a Novice at MaryKnoll Convent in Topsfield, MA. Donna was a gifted musician, avid gardener and expert bird watcher. She loved all the joys of nature, including hiking and camping. In her 50’s and 60’s, she was a fixture jogging along Route 11. She became a self taught master of home improvement, doing her own construction, siding, roofing, having created a haven where she lived with her cats, dogs and for a time raised Zebra Finches. She retired from Goulston & Storrs in Boston, MA, where she was a legal secretary. Donna is survived by her sister Patti Raffa, with whom she has shared her home for the past 20 years, also siblings: Elaine McKenney of Woburn, MA, Larry and wife Mary McKenney of W. Newbury, MA, Linda Smith of Seabrook, NH, Joanne Bakula of Peabody, MA, Barbara and husband Donald South of Epping, NH, also cousins, nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Cornerstone Hospice, for their caring compassion. There will be no calling hours, a graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 10am at John Shirley Cemetery in New Durham, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to: Cocheco Valley Humane Society, 262 County Farm Road, Dover, NH 03820. Published by C. E. Peaslee & Son, Inc. Funeral Homes and Cremation Services
• Last Full Review: 1 Apr 2023

Notes:

Died:
at home from Parkinson's disease.

Donna married Ralph I. Durkee on 16 Aug 1971. Ralph was born on 14 Dec 1926; died on 29 Feb 1996 in New Durham, Strafford County, New Hampshire. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]