Worcester: Donna Lee (Cygielnik) Gustafson, aged seventy seven, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2022 with her family by her side after a prolonged illness. She now joins her mother, Bernice and father Edwin Sjosten. She leaves two sisters- Fay Hultgren and Ruth Pare and also her three children: Elizabeth Leszczynski and her husband Gregory of North Grafton, Kristen Gustafson of Worcester, and Chad Gustafson and his wife Bonnie of Marlborough.
She was born February 24, 1945 in Gardner, MA. She attended North High School in Worcester, then, while living for a brief time in Oklahoma, she received her diploma from the Stillwater Beauty Academy for completing study in All Branches of Beauty Culture. She returned to Worcester, and, after raising her children, she worked as a Claims Examiner at State Mutual and Fallon Community Health Plan. An accomplished seamstress, she also worked at Trippis and for the Theatre Department at Holy Cross College. For many of the productions at Holy Cross, she also worked on hair and wig design.
Donna was known for her many talents: cake decorating, hair styling, and her biggest love- gardening (usually all while drinking Dunkin' Donuts coffee). She spent every Sunday in Fall watching her favorite team, The New England Patriots, and she was a passionate animal lover as well.
The family would like to thank the dedicated staffs at St. Vincent and Mass General Hospitals for their compassionate care. Special thanks go to Dr. Susan George and Dr. Mark Kranis for their dedication over many years.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 4-7 p.m. in Nordgren Memorial Chapel 300 Lincoln St. Worcester. A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. in Trinity Lutheran Church 73 Lancaster St. Worcester. A burial will follow at All Faiths Cemetery in Worcester. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or to the Worcester Animal Rescue League. For directions or to leave an online condolence message, please click guestbook link.