Donna MacDonald 70, of Dennis, MA, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 3 after a long battle with Cystic Fibrosis.

She was born on June 8, 1950, in Melrose, MA., to Leroy E. and Ruth B. (Gibson) MacDonald.  Donna grew up in Stoneham, MA.

Donna was a salutatorian graduate of Bay State Junior College and earned her Criminal Justice degree from Northeastern University.

In her youth, Donna lived and explored many areas of the country including, Idaho, Florida, and California.  She has been employed as a real estate saleswoman, home aide, massage therapist, airport security guard, data entry operator, innkeeper, and investigator for the Pinkerton Detective Agency.  She worked with troubled juveniles in Orlando, Florida. 

After returning to Boston she worked as a writer for the Christian Science Monitor.  In 1985 she moved to Cape Cod where she worked as a librarian.  Donna assisted in delivering Sunday sermons at Unity Church in Hyannis, and West Dennis.

In 1985 she was stricken with her painful and debilitating illness which led to a low ebb in her life.  It put her on a spiritual journey that would ultimately lead to her literary endeavors.  "It was like flipping a coin,” she said, “and I was looking at the wrong side.”  She realized she had everything she needed to help herself.

She wrote, ”After going through something like that it makes you really change your whole outlook.  I look at the simple little things like flowers growing and see so much more beauty than before as I think about how a little seed underneath the earth begins to change and grow."

Donna wrote and published several books, poems, and songs.  Her first book, “Step Into The Light” explores a dancer’s desperation after an injury and how she comes to terms with her limitation.  As the author of the Mackenzie Falls mystery series, her last two books, she combined her love of animals with her passion for writing mysteries.

Donna was an active member of the Dennis-Yarmouth Women's Club and past co-chairperson of their Community Improvement Committee.  She was an enthusiastic supporter of their outreach work and the organizations they help.

Donna is survived by her dear friend and caregiver Sue Owings, two brothers, Lee MacDonald and his wife Debra of Plainville, CT and, Bruce MacDonald of Hyannisport. She has many loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the Kennedy-Donovan Center of West Yarmouth, MA., for their long-time care and support.

Due to Covid restrictions, graveside services will be held privately at Swan Lake Annex Cemetery in Dennis Port, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Donna’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 North Main St., Suite 104, Natick, MA. 01760, or online at mass-RI@CFF.org

Notes of comfort may be made to the family at Hallett Funeral Home, http://www.hallettfuneralhome.com 

I was glad that Donna and I continued our lifelong friendship. She was a trouper, vigilantly fighting CF. Just days before her passing we discussed swapping full contact information so that when the inevitable happened each of us would be able to reach the other's partner. While I sent her my info, unfortunately, she didn't have time to send me Sue's contact info, so I just found out today when I Googled her name. She was my longest friend and I shall miss our semi-annual email exchanges. My heart goes out to Sue and Donna's family and friends. Love the pic above.

I was glad that Donna and I continued our lifelong friendship. She was a trouper, vigilantly fighting CF. Just days before her passing we discussed swapping full contact information so that when the inevitable happened each of us would be able to reach the other's partner. While I sent her my info, unfortunately, she didn't have time to send me Sue's contact info, so I just found out today when I Googled her name. She was my longest friend and I shall miss our semi-annual email exchanges. My heart goes out to Sue and Donna's family and friends. Love the pic above.

To Lee, Bruce and Sue, Please accept my deepest sympathies on the passing of Donna. I lived on Perkins Street as a child and Donna was my childhood friend. From Colonial Park through High School years, I have memories of a quiet sweet friend. I was so sorry to read about her health struggles and then again so heartened by all her accomplishments. I wanted to reach out to let you know how sorry I am. ~Marcia Adams O'Neil

We were so sorry to hear about Donna's passing. We had met hear several years ago when we helped her host a ballroom dancing event at Yarmouth Senior Center to help promote her book "Murder at the Copley". We was an extraordinary woman.

Jeffrey and Susan send our sincere condolences to Sue Owings and the MacDonald family.

Jeffrey and Susan send our sincere condolences to Sue Owings and the MacDonald family.

So sorry for your loss. Hoping you can find peace knowing that Donna is no longer suffering & that her spirit has found eternal light.

Reading about Donna's life and many accomplishments is so inspirational. She was, indeed, an exceptional woman and will be missed by so many of us in DYWC as well as her family. Prayers and blessings to friends and family.