Dona F. (Rice) Kilbride passed away on April 26, 2015 at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. Dona was born and raised in Woburn, MA. She was the daughter of Alfred Rice and Evelyn (Haney) Rice. She lived in the Green St. area of Woburn. Dona attended St. Charles School and graduated in 1957.
In 1955 she met a boy from North Woburn named Jimmy Kilbride. They dated for a while, and then married on February 20, 1960. They brought four children into the world: Ellen, Jamie, Donald and Susan.
Dona was a talented singer and appeared in many variety shows during the 1950's. After High School she began working at Sears in Woburn Center. While working at Sears she introduced her father to her boss, Helen Mawn; her mother had passed away one year earlier. Her father and Helen eventually married, and Helen became the beloved stepmother to Dona and her sister Ann, and grandmother of their children.
Dona and her husband, Jimmy, settled in the South end of Woburn. After three children they moved to the West side to a house on Mayflower Rd., where they remained. When the children were young Dona worked part time at the old "Wonder Doughnuts" at Four Corners. Dona then found work at the YMCA located close to her home. When her children were grown she went to work at the Woburn Court House, and after a few years she left and secured a position at the Federal Highway Administration She soon became the secretary to the Director of the Agency. She sat in on many meetings during the construction of the "Big Dig" and was an invited guest to the opening of the "Ted Williams tunnel" and to the "Zakim Bridge" opening as well.
In March 2005 she suffered a severe stroke which left her partially disabled. Luckily, after a few months of rehab she returned home. Her speech became limited but she would greet anyone she met with a big smile and a "Hi Honey". During this time she enjoyed taking daily rides with her husband throughout Massachusetts and other scenic New England States.
Dona will be greatly missed by her family and all her who knew her. Even when times were not so good she would always have a big smile and a "Hi Honey".
Dona was the beloved wife for 55 years of James T. Kilbride. Devoted mother of James T. Kilbride Jr. and his wife Susan of Peabody, Donald J. Kilbride and his wife Sue of Wellesley, Ellen Nilsen and her husband Dale, Susan LaCambria and her husband John all of Wilmington. She was the loving grandmother to ten grandchildren. Sister of the late Anne Shea. Dear friend of Rose Simpson of Arizona. Sister-in-law of Kathleen Banks of Woburn, Dennis Kilbride and his wife Pamela of Woburn.
Funeral from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Friday, May 1st, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Thursday from 4 thru 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Donata's memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923.