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Donna M. Leahey
83, Angel called home;
Donna M. (Gilooly) Leahey, a resplendent lady and beloved woman died peacefully at D’Youville Senior Care in Lowell on Tuesday, August 27th after a brief unexpected illness.
Donna was the wife of the late George B. Leahey. Their first ‘date’ was in May 1942 while their dads played golf; their last was on August 15, 2018. Donna Marie and Georgie B. were destined to be together; they even grew up on the same street. They married on August 29, 1964. He was the love of her life; and they were a wonderful couple. They reunited in time for their 60th anniversary.
Donna was born in Lowell on May 22, 1941, to the late Dr. William J. & Alice M. (Mulcahy) Gilooly and was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church.
A proud graduate of Lowell High School, Class of 1958, where Donna was Colonel of the Girl Officers. She graduated from Regis College in 1962 with a major in mathematics. Following her mother and aunts, she became a teacher. She taught math at Stoneham Junior High and later at Stoneham High School. Her teaching career ended in 1965 after she became pregnant with her first child.
Thereafter and until the day she returned to Heaven, Donna was the greatest mom (pronounced mum) who never failed to utilize her Colonel skills when the need arose. She was vibrant. Donna was a strong leader, advocate, and organizer. She’d gather facts, mobilize support, and win over the opposition. Donna exuded resolve. A remarkable and resilient person who spent decades volunteering her time as an advocate for parents and children. The PTA, the Friends of Lowell High, Hands Across the City (a celebration of students and their cultures), and the Merrimack Valley College Fair, all benefited from her involvement. In 1979, Donna also helped start the junior golf program at Vesper Country Club, which continues to this day. Some of her other volunteer activities included the Catholic College Club, Lowell Garden Club, Regis College Club, committees at Vesper, hospital guilds, and various other charitable causes.
Donna didn’t limit being a “mom” or “grammy” to her family. She’d offer treats to whomever used the basketball "court" even when her boys weren’t around or drop off baked good to scores of families during the Christmas season (pages of handwritten notes explaining how the delivery battle was won). Her chocolate, M&M, and Irish lace cookies were legendary as was her pumpkin chiffon pie. Even after dementia took away her short-term memory, she was a magnet for young families who gravitated to her. Donna never lost her ‘in the moment’ cognitive skills or forgot she was Mom and Grammy. Some of her last words were to “be careful tonight”, apologizing for not making breakfast because she just needed to rest a bit, and to make sure her granddaughters “know Grammy loves them very much”. It was an honor to care for her when she needed help.
The essence of Donna is how she dealt with everything that happened to Brent. Donna did whatever was needed to care for him. She put aside her fear of needles and learned to administer shots, so he didn’t have make extra trips to the doctor. After he passed, Donna turned that pain into the Leahey family’s Brent’s Team, which for 20 or so years, raised money through the Jimmy Fund Walk for Dr. David A. Frank’s research. Today, the Cannamela family carries on her work through the Friends of Brent team.
Her devotion to her family meant she endured a husband who was most set in his ways and kids who watched Hogan’s Heroes and worse professional wrestling. In 1994, she finally got her open kitchen/TV room so everyone could be together. Donna was The Giving Tree. Nevertheless, there was a line one did not cross with the Colonel. Donna instilled actions have consequences; errors had to be corrected. Love could be tough and tender at the same time. She gave the best hugs and words of encouragement even when one chose not to do the right thing.
Her other loves included being Grammy and Aunt Donna, golf, tennis, Rye Beach, dancing, traveling, entertaining (D&G loved hosting parties), gardening, dark chocolate turtles, NCAA basketball especially the Madness, her ‘daughters’ and ‘her’ puppy, Max. Her treasured pastime was being with family and friends. Like George, Donna loved a Billy’s rum punch.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Attorney Brian W. and Sophia C. Leahey, of Lowell, and Attorney Mark B. and Stephanie M. Leahey, of Washington, D.C.; two grandchildren Parker M. Leahey and Meritt C. Leahey, of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Jill R. Glaser, PhD and her husband Richard A., Esq., of Charlestown, MA; her ‘sister’ cousin, Naomi E. Sullivan, of Lowell, MA; three goddaughters: Naomi Sullivan Callender; Nancy Chapman, and Colleen McKeegan, several nieces, the Sullivans, and the greater Leahey family.
Donna was also the mother of the late G. Brent Leahey, Jr., Esq. and sister of the late Elizabeth “Libby” A. Gilooly. She has returned home to be with all of her family and friends who are no longer physically with us.
Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday morning September 4, 2024, at the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 144 East Merrimack St. in LOWELL from 9:00 to 10:45 A.M. followed by her Funeral Mass to be celebrated in the Church at 11:00 o’clock. Donna’s burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. E-condolences/directions at www.odonnellfuneralhome.com. Those wishing may make donations in her memory to the Jimmy Fund Walk ‘Friends of Brent’ team at https://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=2150&pg=entry. or by a check made out to “BMJFW – Friends of Brent” at Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, PO Box 3595, Boston, MA 02241-3595. Arrangements by the O’DONNELL FUNERAL HOME - LOWELL – MA – (978) 458-8768.
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