They say that the average lifespan after being diagnosed with Vascular Dementia is five years. True to her nature of being early to every appointment and gathering, Donna Mullen died one month shy of the five years. Donna ended her journey on October 26, 2022 at Newton Wellesley Center for Alzheimer’s Care where she was loved and very well cared for and where she was known for driving her merry walker, aka her Cadillac, around while banging into furniture and walls.
Donna was the daughter of the late Donald and Evelyn (Durning) Kean of Avon, MA. She is survived by her only daughter Jen Osojnicki and her husband Derek of Vancouver, WA. Donna also leaves her brothers Billy and his wife Maureen of Stoughton, MA and Larry and his wife Patty of Bastrop, TX and her sister Sharon and her husband Jim of New Bedford, MA, in addition to her sisters-in-law Claudia of Avon and Beverly of Bridgewater. She was the sister of the late Jim Kean and Bobby Kean and sister-in law of Kathy. There are many nieces and nephews that will miss their Auntie Donna. She also leaves many close friends including Chris Fox.
Born in Worcester, MA, Donna was raised in Avon, MA. After marrying the love of her life Richard “Dickie” Mullen, they decided to raise their daughter Jen in Brockton, MA. When she lost Dickie to cancer in 1993, Donna sold her home and moved to a condo in Raynham, MA where she lived when family and friends began to notice some cognitive decline in 2017.
After retiring from Verizon with 25 years of service, she started working at various day care centers before becoming a full-time nanny for the Frederickson family for many years. She worked with them until she was diagnosed.
Donna was feisty and stubborn, but she loved her family and friends dearly. She could also hold a grudge, but she was the first person to reach out with help if it was needed. For 25 years she had a camper at Tispaquin Campground in Middleboro, MA where many stories were told around the campfire with good friends. She treasured her yearly trips to the Yankee Candle Factory with her girls. She loved to travel, especially to Five Islands, Nova Scotia to visit her mother’s family.
Donna never knew that she had the Oregon & SW Washington Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association in her corner for the last three years.
Visitation will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street, (Rte 123) Brockton Monday, December 5, from 9:30 to 11 am with a funeral service at 11am. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to help provide support to people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their caregivers. Research is the only way to find an end to this disease. http://act.alz.org/goto/donnamullen