Donna L. Thayer

Donna Louise Thayer, 82, of East Bridgewater, MA, passed away peacefully on January 7 at West Acres Nursing Home in Brockton, surrounded by her family. She was the devoted wife of her husband of 62 years, Alan G. Thayer; a partnership marked by a shared love of family and strong sense of adventure.

Born in Clinton to the late Rev. Donald E. and Louise (Cairns) Paige, Donna grew up in the Methodist church and moved with her family's church assignments including time in Clinton, Danvers and Gardener. She attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she nurtured a lifelong commitment to caring for others.

She built a meaningful and rewarding career in the health care industry in both direct care and administrative services, including a long tenure at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth.

Donna enjoyed exploring the region by RV and the corners of the world by cruise ship, seeking new destinations near and far, and always finding time to shop for keepsakes from her adventures.

And while she reveled at the opportunity to travel, home was the heart of her world. She delighted in cooking and no family celebration was complete without her much-loved lasagna, potato salad, epic Chocolate Mountain dessert, and indulgent homemade hot fudge sauce. Her desserts especially have become treasured family recipes passed down from her own mother.

A former long-time resident of Pembroke, she and Alan downsized and moved to East Bridgewater in 2002 to enjoy a simpler life.

In addition to her husband Alan, she leaves behind her children: Paige Thayer and husband Daren Winckel of Sutton, Dawn Anderson and husband Donal of Pembroke, Bryan Thayer and wife Colleen of Plymouth, and Craig Thayer and wife Lisa of Bridgewater. She also leaves her eight cherished grandchildren: Justin, Dakota, Ethan, Cameron, Mercedes, Hunter, Trevor and Tommy; and her five great grandchildren: Emilia, Carson, Addison, Nathan and Henry.

She was predeceased by her siblings Janet Jones, Robert Paige and Jerome Paige.

Services will be private.

Donations in memory of Donna may be made to a charity of your choice.