Donna M. Gagnon

 Donna M. Gagnon, 68, of Manchester, NH passed away peacefully following a brave fight with stage-four metastatic breast cancer on November 5, 2024 at the Laconia Rehabilitation Center in Laconia. Surrounded by her loving family and friends, she faced her final days with the same strength, grace and compassion that defined her life. While our hearts mourn her loss, we take comfort in knowing she is no longer suffering.

 Donna was born on February 24, 1956 at Notre Dame Hospital (now Catholic Medical Center) in Manchester, NH. She is the daughter of William and Sally (Gossler) Gagnon. She attended Brown School and Gossler Park Elementary School and was a 1974 graduate of Manchester West High School.

 Following graduation, Donna was briefly employed by Golden Acres Creamery in West Manchester prior to entering the US Army. She proudly served her Country and community. After completing basic military training at Fort Jackson, SC, she was assigned to Fort Carson, CO as a Finance Specialist. She served on active duty for 3 years (1975–1978) and was discharged honorably at the rank of SP4 (E-4). Donna served an additional 11 years in the US Army Reserves in Manchester as a Medical Specialist and was discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6). Her unit was on standby to deploy for the Gulf War in 1990.

 Donna worked for the US Postal Service as a Mail Clerk in Manchester and as a Window Clerk in North Woodstock, NH from 1978 to 2019 for a total of 41 years. While living in North Woodstock, she was also employed part-time at a local Hannaford’s.

 She is survived by her parents, William and Sally Gagnon, her former husband and good friend Norman Roulx, her cousins Linda Lower and Michael Gagnon, her brother-in-law Richard Angers, several other cousins and second cousins. She is also survived by her dear friends Nancy Smith, Denise DeBlois, Doreen Stone and Sandy (Roulx) Mackey.

 Donna was predeceased by her sister Kathy Ann (Gagnon) Angers, maternal grandparents, Henry and Margareta (Weyn) Gossler, paternal grandparents, Eugene and Edna (Blais) Gagnon, her dear friend Monique Laverdure, and her dogs Jacob and Daisy.

 She enjoyed timeshare vacations, trips to the beach, walking her dogs, playing cards, dining out with family and friends, Mary Kay cosmetics, and Do Terra essential oils. She was also a member of the American Legion. Donna had a kind heart, radiant smile and spirited personality. She cared deeply for all animals and was a strong advocate for the A.S.P.C.A. (American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals).

 Donna’s family would like to extend their deep gratitude for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Mass General Brigham’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Allied Caregivers, Laconia Rehabilitation Center and the Manchester VA Women’s Health Clinic.

 In lieu of flowers, charitable donations in her memory can be made to the New Hampshire SPCA with a mailing address of PO Box 196, 104 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH 03885 or to the Jimmy Fund, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.

 A graveside committal service with military burial honors will be held on Friday, November 8th at noon in St. Joseph Cemetery, 448 Donald St, Bedford, NH. Per her wishes, there will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Life and reception immediately will follow interment for family and friends at the Belmont Hall, 718 Grove St, Manchester.