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Obituary for Donna M. Howland

CHELMSFORD – Donna M. (Avery) Howland, age 69, a longtime resident of Chelmsford died unexpectedly on Sunday, December 14, 2015 at Lowell General Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late Bruce Howland. They would have celebrated their 50th Anniversary this year.

She was born in Medford on August 3, 1946, and was the daughter of the late Wilfred J. and Grace C. (Trevor) Avery. She grew up in Stoneham and Medford in a strong, tight-knit Irish family. She enjoyed her summers at her grandparents’ summer home in Duxbury with her cousins who were all like sisters to her.

Prior to her retirement, Donna was employed for 13 years as an assistant to the Medical Review team at PHCS in Waltham, where she enjoyed keeping the doctors in line. Earlier in her career she was employed for 19 years by the former JJ Cleaners. She was adored by her customers and co-workers.

She was an avid sports fan and especially loved the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. She also loved spending time in the company of her loving family and pets, especially her beloved dog Charlie.

Donna is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Gary White of Chelmsford; two granddaughters, Jennifer Mullins and her husband Shawn and Samantha Beattie and her husband Michael, all of Chelmsford. She was especially proud of her new great grandson, Oliver Beattie. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

A celebration of Donna’s life will take place in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844 or to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, MA 01701.