Donna Dearborn Woodfin died on November 2, 2016 after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. She was born on May 9, 1940 in Manchester, NH, to Hilda Orr Dearborn and Joseph Henry Dearborn. She lived in Concord most of her life, where she attended school, raised her family, worked, and retired. She received an undergraduate degree from Keene Teachers' College in 1962 and a graduate degree from NH College in 1982. Donna was the Executive Director of the Disability Rights Center-NH, where she worked from its inception in 1978 until her retirement in 2008. She was proud of her work at the DRC, helping it grow from a fledgling organization to a significant civil rights entity for individuals with disabilities in NH. Following her retirement, she remained active, including returning to work as a consultant for the NH Council on Developmental Disabilities. Over her lifetime, she was active and involved in her community. At the time of her death, she was a board member for EngAGING NH and a Cardiac Peer Mentor at Concord Hospital. She power walked every day for over 30 years, no matter the weather or where she was. She claimed that she did her best thinking and problem-solving during those long daily walks. She loved reading, gardening, knitting, and following the political winds. Donna was predeceased by her parents and daughter, Ellen Diane Woodfin. She is survived by her sons Richard Woodfin and his wife, Kathryn, and Andrew Woodfin of Concord; her daughter Elizabeth (Libby) Woodfin and her wife, Deidre Cuffee-Gray, of Northampton, MA; grandchildren, Matthew Woodfin of Richmond, VA, Ryan Woodfin and Megan Woodfin of Concord; sister, Diane Daley of New Hartford, NY; brother, Jenness Dearborn and his wife, Susan, of Holden Beach, NC; sister-in-law Brenda Thomas of Bedford, NH; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She also leaves her beloved college friends-The Fun Crowd-like sisters for over 50 years. A Celebration of Donna's life will be held at the Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main St. in Concord on Wednesday, November 9th. Calling hours will from 11-1, followed immediately by a service at 1pm. Interment of her ashes will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in West Concord where she grew up. Donations in her memory may be made to Disability Rights Center-NH, 64 North Main Street, Suite 2, 3rd Floor, Concord, NH 03301-4913. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bennettfuneral.com
You can to the family or in memory of Donna Woodfin.
Guestbook