Donna Jean (Fay) Girard, 82
WAREHAM - Donna Jean (Fay) Girard, 82, of Wareham, passed away unexpectedly at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston on December 20, 2025, while surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Paul H. Girard and the daughter of the late James A. and Mildred L. (Hayes) Fay.
She was born in Chelsea and grew up in Everett. She spent every summer in Wareham at her family's cottage before moving there as a year-round resident upon her marriage in 1965. She graduated from Everett High School, class of 1961.
Donna and Paul were married on April 24, 1965. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They loved each other dearly.
Donna devoted many years to her family as a stay-at-home mother. She later worked in advertising sales for the Cape Cod Independent Newspaper, covering Wareham and Bourne alongside her friend and editor, Elsie Towne. She worked in the commercial fishing industry alongside her husband. She later served as a sales manager at the Wareham Walmart.
Donna had a way of lighting up a room the moment she walked in, and she brought joy into the lives of everyone she met. She never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. She loved sunsets, had a sharp sense of humor, loved to dance, and was fiercely loyal to her New England sports teams. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, cooking, crafting, and selling her handmade crafts at local fairs and festivals. She took care of people in the quiet ways that mattered most: a phone call, a home cooked meal, a ride when you needed one, or simply being there. More than anything, she was the glue that held the family together.
She especially cherished her role as "Nana." She was a devoted grandmother and great grandmother who knew where all of the best playgrounds were. Her pride of her grandchildren and great grandchild knew no bounds.
Survivors include her husband, Paul H. Girard; her children, Anne Potito and her husband, Andrew of Wareham, Andrew Girard and his wife, Angela of Wareham and Adam Girard and his wife, Laura of Kingston; a brother, Albert Fay of Peabody; a sister, Nancy Glennon of MD; 5 grandchildren, Nathan Girard, Samantha Girard, Lidia Girard, Thomas Girard, and Ethan Potito; a great granddaughter, Ivy Girard; and many nephews and nieces.
Visiting hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Chapman Funerals & Cremations – WAREHAM, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.
Her funeral will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, 4 Onset Bay Ln., Onset. Burial will be in Agawam Cemetery.
Livestream of Funeral Mass available: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A7iZ4Qs6g/?mibextid=wwXIfr.
