Hello. I am John Millard son of Donna K. Millard. My mother Donna K Millard passed away On June 2nd, 2025. This is devasting for our family as we have barely begun to recover from the loss of my son Ezra in January of this year. My mother leaves behind myself, John Millard, my two sisters Laurie-Ann Millard, and Marsha Millard (the youngest). Marsha’s three children Phillip Houle, James House, and Tamsin Millard as well as three great grand children. While we are not young, we are unprepared for her loss. Mom was fairly practical and made small provisions for her death. It is minimal and I would like to ask for help to put her life away neatly and sending her off with dignity. Long ago, this hard working person, a single mother of three in the 1970’s earned money serving the community helping to open the first detox in our area on Orchard St., Leominster. She moved on to CETA to help others who required assistance in retraining or obtaining new employment. Within a few years another opportunity to work with another group of under served in our community came The Task Force on Battered Women in Fitchburg. Much like the detox in Leominster, The shelter was something she had personal experience with. What else could she do but be a part of it? Always hard working she had paused her education in the 1960’s to raise a family. She did finally finish her B.A. in English at Fitchburg State College. Her later years saw her move to Kansas and later to Louisiana to help raise her three grandchildren. While in Kansas she studied theology at Nazarene Theology Seminary. Always one for more studies and working with others this was a lifelong dream come true for her. In her last 10 years of life she returned home to Fitchburg where she had been raised. Love for the fall foliage or the greenery of spring wrapping the landscapes this was always home for Donna. Her evenings were often spent having dinner with Tamsin after she got out of work. There is so much more to say about this incredible person. What also needs to be said is last. She put herself last at every stage of her life. She never saved nor wasted. Which leaves me here asking for some help to put her life away respectfully and without debt. If you can, please do. If you cant, that’s ok. Please, if you remember my mother and care to join us on July 12th at 10:30 am at the Church of the Nazarene in Fitchburg. A service and pot luck surrounded by the love and memories we can share with one another for my mother Donna K. Millard. A life well lived.
Thank You and God Bless.
John Millard.