Dorothy W. (Devonshire) Donahue, 85, of Derry, NH, passed away Sunday October 18, 2020, after losing her battle with Alzheimer’s. She died peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on March 21, 1935 in Melrose, MA, a daughter of the late Franklin and Phyllis (Wyatt) Devonshire. Dorothy was a kind, caring mother, grandmother and friend, who was happiest when surrounded by her family. She enjoyed knitting, braiding rugs, feeding birds, gardening, reading and puzzles.
Dorothy worked as a switchboard operator at a telephone company, was a full-time mom of 5 children, drove a school bus and helped run the family business.
She is survived by her five children, Deborah Allen, Charles Donahue, Jr., Mark Donahue, Susan Desharnais and Jennifer Marois; ten grandchildren, Marc Marois Jr., Jacob Marois, Nicholas Baily, Natasha Baily, Brianna Desharnais, Charles E. Donahue III, Christopher Donahue, Caroline Donahue, John Allen and William Allen; six great grandchildren, Lorelai Desharnais, Alex Savary, Sophie Donahue, Kyla Allen, Hayley Allen and Cooper Allen, one brother, Philip Devonshire; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Charles E. Donahue Sr. in 1993, a son Steven Michael Donahue in 1959 and a brother Norman Devonshire in 2020.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Peabody Funeral Home and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. Burial with her husband and son will follow in the Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 10:00am until the time of the service. Due to State of NH guidelines, all guests are required to wear masks, minimize contact and maintain social distancing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 137 Epping Road, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833.