Donna M Merlino

Obituary of Donna M Merlino
Donna M. (Parton) Merlino, 81, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025.
Born in Winchester, MA, Donna was the cherished daughter of the late Genevieve "Polly" (Perks) Miller and Billie Parton.
A 1962 graduate of Stoneham High School, Donna grew up in a multi-generational home with men of strong personalities, and stronger, stubborn women. Donna cherished her stepfather Alfred Miller, who joined their family in May 1965, just before the birth of her first daughter. She had a loving, devoted, relationship with her mother who she spent every Saturday with until her mother's passing in 2013.
As a result of bouts of mumps and chickenpox, Donna lost her hearing in one ear as a young child. Despite this, she always had a fondness for music and participated in the Glee Club, Pep Club and Drama Clubs in high school.
She met her husband, Joesph A. Merlino, in the early 1960s while performing in a local Minstrel Show. Joe was featured in a "Bill Bailey" number, while Donna danced in the kick line. Their first date was a movie night to see Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, and their story took flight soon after. They were married on June 27, 1964, at St. Charles Church in Woburn and were at each other's side until Joe's passing in 2023.
The couple made Burlington their home in 1969, just before welcoming their second daughter, Diane.
Donna was "uninitiated" in the home arts. Joe joked many times that one of the first breakfasts she made for him was burnt toast.
She was also "old school": ironing her young husband's hankies, not having her license, and organizing her weekly pay in budget envelopes that she bought at Brooks Pharmacy, where she worked because she could walk there. However, later in life she encouraged her daughter Debbie to get a credit card early on and co-signed for her too. She thought it was important that her daughter establish credit - as Donna herself had not done at that age.
One of Donna's proud and humorous milestones came when she won a raffle for driving lessons at the Pine Glen Festival, which led to her getting her driver's license and buying a car "with her own money" later in life -- a story that continues to bring smiles to those who knew her.
Like her mother and stepfather Donna was always impeccably put together. She enjoyed shopping for clothes and had an overstuffed closet her entire adult life. While she held a variety of jobs, her favorites were working at Cherry & Webb in the Burlington Mall and later TJ Maxx, most notably at the jewelry counter.
Donna loved music – especially country music (true to her father's Kentucky roots). Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton were particular favorites. And she would jokingly comment that she and Dolly shared a last name. Something her daughter's heard non-stop during their trip to Nashville TN for her 75th birthday.
Donna was always happy to "go along for the ride" and enjoyed vacations to New York City, Washington DC, California, and Italy.
She was sentimental. Donna saved every card and letter she ever received. While her hearing impairment often hampered her participation in conversation, she always enjoyed being out with people.
In her golden years, Donna found community and companionship at the Burlington Senior Center and was especially grateful to have attended the Merlino family outing at Salisbury Beach this past summer.
Donna is survived by her two daughters, Debbie Merlino of Norwood and Diane Cadavid and her husband Rafael of Cary, NC, two grandchildren, Alyssa Marie Cadavid of Denver, CO and Alex Joseph Cadavid of Charlotte, NC, a sister, Roxanne Parton of Ma, as well as extended family and friends
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her calling hours on Tuesday, October 14 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. Burlington. A funeral Service will follow the calling hours at the funeral home at 11:30am, Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to: Burlington Council of Aging. Donations are accepted by check mailed to 61 Center Street Burlington MA 01803.