Name: Celebration of Life for Donna S. Michael
Start: 2018-07-05T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-07-05T23:00:00.000Z
Location: McKenna-Ouellette Funeral Home

Donna S. Michael, age 72, a resident of Lowell passed away peacefully on Friday, June 29th at Greystone Farm at Salem, NH. She was born in Somerset on June 3, 1946, and was the daughter of the late Manuel "Mike" and Rose (Barboza) Michael of Somerset. Donna was a 1964 graduate of Somerset High School in Somerset, MA. She also received both her bachelors and her masters degrees at Lowell State College. She was the founder of the Miguel School of Music in Dracut, MA where she taught both accordion and piano. She taught music for over 35 years to countless students and put many on the path to music as a vocation or avocation for life. She enjoyed her weekly commute to Canton as she continued to spread her love for music. As a school teacher at both the Morey and McCaullife Lowell public schools, she also taught classroom music to students for more than 25 years. She found joy in music, friends, golf, progressive politics, speaking her mind, a good joke, and good Portuguese food. She also loved to travel and over the course of several decades visited many states, countries, and more than the occasional island paradise. She is survived by her brother Paul A. and his wife Claudette Michael of Huntsville, She is also survived by her three nephews and three nieces and ten grand nephews and nieces: Gregory P. Michael & Jody Mich ael of Mobile, AL; her godson Geoffrey B. Michael & Kelly Hopkins of Winthrop, MA; Liz Michael Stone of Lee, NH; Madelene Michael Marcus & Mark Marcus of Madison, AL; Christene Michael Gibbons & Grant Gibbons of Dubai, U.A.E.; and Matthew S. Michael & Shayna Michael of Amman, Jordan. She will be sorely missed by her family, her caretakers at Greystone Farms (where she had been nicknamed The Mayor), all of her former students and friends which she consider family. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Donna's Life Celebration at the McKenna-Ouellette Funeral Home, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Thursday, July 5th from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM followed by her Funeral Service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Her burial will be on Friday at 11:00 AM in Notre Dame Cemetery in Fall River. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna's memory to the Alzheimer's Association of MA/NH, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd., Waltham MA 02452. For condolences and directions, please visit www. mckennaouellette.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald News on Jul. 3, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Donna Michael

22 Entries

Jamie Lynn MacGregor

June 27, 2022

I can't believe this world is coming up on 4 years without being blessed by your presence. Donna, you brightened up my life in more ways than you could imagine. You shaped me into the person I am today. Because of you I myself have begun teaching music and I strive to give each and every single one of my students even a fraction of what you blessed me and my family with.

I wish you could've seen how I've grown up and matured. I wish you could've seen me become a teacher myself, get back into competitions, and really all of my attempts and continuing your legacy.

I love you Donna, as a teacher, as a family member, and most importantly as my best friend. May you rest in peace

Dave Paquette

March 28, 2021

Ms. Michael was my music teacher at the Morey school. Because of her easygoing nature, I felt comfortable enough in class to occasionally break from the script to try and get a laugh from her and the rest of the class. As a result of my antics, she put me as the lead in one of the school musicals which is a cherished memory I will never forget. I am very sorry to hear of her passing. Her loving spirit and impact on others will carry on forever.

stephen c. maxwell

June 29, 2020

Diane Hall

June 27, 2020

I think of Donna so often .. she was the biggest parts of my childhood .. the best years of my life were spent with my accordion family ..we spent a lot of time outside of the studio with Donna as well ... beautiful memories ❤

Jamie Lynn MacGregor

September 25, 2019

Donna was my best friend since the day I was born and every week I'd look forward to seeing her white Avalon after school on Wednesdays. To say she was my piano teacher is an understatement since she was much, much more to me and my brothers. She was nothing short of family. Wether we were at the piano, playing a board game or a game of cards, or just talking, I adored every second I was lucky enough to spend with her. I'm extremely grateful to have spent the first 15 years of my life as her best friend. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. Rest in peace, my best friend.

Stephen Maxwell

May 23, 2019

I'm Stephen Maxwell, the 1980's were a gem as Ms. Michaels would sit at the piano in that school gym at C. W. Morey Elementary or we would sing in the classroom. Always Ms. Michaels would make the holidays fun especially when "Lamb Chop" Memorial Day singing would come over the satellite. I surely appreciate Ms. Michaels as I have been a song leader in Church and a drummer in the Orchestra. Thank you Ms. Michaels, you are sorely missed. Blessings.

Tara Perry McCarthy

July 8, 2018

Ms. Michael was an amazing music teacher..I had the pleasure of knowing her when I attended the Morey School in the mid 80's..my favorite memories were our concerts and plays.! She had an amazing passion for music and enjoyed playing the piano. May she rest in the sweetest peace.

July 8, 2018

A wonderful person and classmate. If there was a category for most musical, Donna would have won hands down. I can only picture her playing in her heavy blue band uniform.

Ron Ledoux
Somerset High, '64

July 6, 2018

Donna Michael was such an inspiration to my daughter, Katie. Katie started piano lessons with Donna at the age of 8 from a coupon we saw in the newspaper for a free lesson. My Katie has since became a wonderful music teacher with a strong classical piano background. Donna was one of the major influences in Katie's life and she was a great person overall. She was such an influence to so many children over the years! May God bless Donna and welcome her into heaven....

Greg Michael Michael

July 5, 2018

Aunt Donna made such an impact on so many lives and she could not have been a more giving person, always sacrificing self for others. She certainly left us with so many wonderful memories, even as children she would keep us on our toes and always made sure that we were all in great spirits. She can now watch over us and get a good laugh at us while we continue to make our ways

Cristina Montejo

July 5, 2018

So sorry to hear of Donna's passing. My days spent at the studio are honestly the most cherished of my life. She created such a special place and taught us not only the love of music, but so much more. She was such an inspiration and will be dearly missed. Thank you so much for everything, Donna. Rest in peace.

Diane Villemaire Hall

July 5, 2018

Donna you will forever hold a special place in my heart ❤ My accordion days were the best days of my life .. We were family.. Thanks for all the wonderful childhood memories... love you always

Paul Michael

July 3, 2018

Donna was a great sister and pillar of the family as she provided and cared for 2 of our elderly uncles and buried them as well as our mother and father. At over a thousand miles away I was of little help. May this gracious lady rest in peace, Brother Paul & Claudette,

Mary Mansur

July 3, 2018

Rest In Peace dear friend.We've shared many memories.As a colleague at the Morey School,who can forget the jokes and stories early morning in the Teachers Room.As Teacher for my daughter Paula,you not only instilled music appreciation,you through example,showed them that hard work pays off.You were her Boss and she was your Brat,both names said with great affection.What memories...the bus trip to play at Carnegie Hall for example.You will be missed my friend

July 3, 2018

I was not a student but a friend for many years. I helped her move to Dracut and enjoyed many happy times there with our studio family, she will be missed.
Phil Berard

Kayla Mahoney

July 3, 2018

Donna was my accordion teacher and she taught me so much. May you fly high with the angels Donna and rest in the sweetest of peace ❤❤

Sibelle Grisé

July 3, 2018

Donna changed lives and touched hearts through music. She truly loved her students. So grateful to have spent so many years taking lessons with her.

Geoffrey Michael

July 3, 2018

Aunt Donna was always unafraid to tell you what she really thought about anything. She was full of empathy and compassion for others. She loved to laugh and smile, and she loved to make other people laugh and smile. She was an inspiration.

Adele Johnson

July 3, 2018

So sorry to hear about Donna's passing. Our prayers are with her family. Donna was an inspiration to my children through the many years she taught them music. She showed a love and discipline for her students who learned to respect her and all that she taught them. We felt like a family when we went on all of the yearly trips to the National competitions. We had many fun times. She will always hold a special memory in our hearts. The Johnson Family

Madelene Marcus

July 3, 2018

Aunt Donna had a passion for music that ignited a spark in so many young people, even her many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grandnephews. I will always remember her as the life of the party, with a smile and joke for everyone.

Lynda

July 3, 2018

I knew Donna for years as a colleague and a friend. The music world has lost a great mentor and a true professional. I'm glad to have had the privilege of knowing her.

July 3, 2018

So sorry to hear of Donna's passing. My daughter took lessons at her studio for several years. She was very passionate about music.
Carol Wesley

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