Marie G. Donegan

Marie (Norton) Donegan, 93, passed away peacefully at Rose Haven Assisted Living in Merrimack, NH, on November 11, 2024. Born on February 26, 1931 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Pittsfield, MA, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Gertrude (Croughwell) Norton. She graduated from Lee High School, where she was a cheerleader and basketball player. And met the love of her life, Peter Donegan, a basketball player from Lenox High (her school’s rival). They married following high school and resided in Pittsfield, MA, where they raised their family of five. 

 As a mother, she was the consummate example of selfless giving, and emanated an abundant spirit of love to all her children. She provided a wonderful and secure home, creating fond and treasured memories for her family. 

Marie was active in community and church. She was Den Mother with the Cub Scouts and later became a Regional Coordinator for the Girl Scouts. She worked as an administrative assistant at Lenox High School, and Trinity High School in Manchester NH. She and husband Peter became avid tennis players. They also spent many memorable summers on Cape Cod, thoroughly enjoying its beauty and wonderful seafood. In her later years, Marie became a snowbird, living half the year in Bedford, NH, and half the year in Delray Beach, FL, later moving there year round, developing great friendships with so many wonderful people. In April of 2023, she returned to New Hampshire became a resident of Rose Haven in Merrimack. Where Marie was genuinely loved and cherished by so many friends and acquaintances. She lived a passionate life of selflessness, positivity, and great love, in enriching the lives of so many. Her sense of humor was second to none, proving over and over again that “laughter truly is good medicine”. 

Marie was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Peter E. Donegan, in 2002; and their son Peter in 1962. She leaves her children, Daniel Donegan (Barbara), Bill Donegan (AnnMarie), Lynn Donegan(Rizvi) and Mary Beth Troupe(Brian). She was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

Calling hours will be from 11am to 1pm on Wednesday at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North St., Manchester, NH 03104. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 448 Donald St.in Bedford. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Rose Haven Assisted Living for their care and compassion for Marie during her time in residence there, as well as to Brookhaven Hospice for their love and compassion for Marie in her final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at http://www.stjude.org/ or Brookhaven Hospice, 2 Bedford Farms Dr., Ste. 105, Bedford, NH 03110.