Colleen M. Donahue

Colleen M. (McCarthy) Donahue, 47, of Holden, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at the Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Brighton and raised in Scituate, Colleen was the daughter of James W. (deceased) and Mary M. (Gleason) McCarthy and lived 20 years in Holden. She leaves her husband of 20 years, William C. Donahue; two children, Brandan M. Donahue and Caitlin E. Donahue both of Holden; her mother, Mary M. (Gleason) McCarthy of Scituate; a maternal grandmother, Elva (Stowell) Gleason of Hingham; two sisters, her twin sister, Maureen OConnor and her husband Paul of Haverhill, Kathleen Reardon; two nephews, James and Cameron; and brother-in-law, Todd Reardon, all of Scituate; sister-in-law, Mary Beth Donahue; two nieces, Ireland and Bray, all of Maryland; and her brother-in-law, Joseph Donahue of Holden; and her in-laws, Joseph and Mary (Crowley) Donahue of Yarmouth Port. Colleen graduated from Scituate High School in 1986 and Assumption College in 1991 with a degree in accounting. While in her sophomore year at Assumption, Colleen met the love of her life, Bill Donahue of Holden. In 1995 they married and moved to Holden where they raised their two children. She worked 20 years as an account manager for Travelers Insurance Company in Hudson. She also worked part time at Northworks Restaurant in Worcester for 15 years. She was a member of St. George Church, the Assumption College Alumni Association, and the Josh Thibodeau Helping Hearts Foundation. Colleen spent summer vacations and holidays with her family on Cape Cod in Yarmouth Port. One of her favorite things to do on the Cape was to eat at "Gina's by the Sea" in Dennis. Being social was a way of life for Colleen and she never needed a reason to get together with old friends. She enjoyed knitting scarves for her family and friends and was knitting just several days ago. Colleen shared a great passion in going to the casinos and watching the Patriots with her twin sister, Maureen. Most of all, Colleen enjoyed the countless hours on soccer fields across New England watching her son and daughter play. Colleen was considered exceptionally witty and was not afraid to tell you what she was thinking. She enjoyed the company of others and made friends wherever she went. Colleen was an inspiration to her friends and family; never complaining and always persevering through adversity. Her legacy to her family is the love and devotion she shared with them and the life lessons of courage and tenacity she taught her children. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Colleens family from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 1, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, at St. George Church, 38 Brattle St., Worcester. Burial will follow at Grove Cemetery in Holden. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Colleen's name to the Josh Thibodeau Helping Hearts Foundation, c/o Clinton Savings Bank, 200 Church St., Clinton, MA 01510, www.joshthibodeauhelpinghearts.com. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com.