Obituary of Denny Donaldson

Denny Donaldson,90 Denny Emanuel Donaldson died peacefully in her home on Dec. 23, surrounded by her family. She was born in Lakewood, Ohio to Greek parents. Denny graduated from Flora Stone Mather (now Case Western Reserve University) with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. Denny married her high school sweetheart, Ralph Donaldson, in 1949, and they moved to Cambridge where Ralph completed a master’s degree in physics at Harvard. In 1962 they moved to Sudbury with their two young daughters, where the First Parish Church figured prominently in the Donaldson’s lives, and Denny sang in the church choir. Music was always central in Denny’s life. She was the choir director at the Greek Orthodox Church in Cleveland, the soloist in a Greek concert at Jordan Hall, a soprano in the Lexington Choral Society (now the Masterworks Chorale), and the lead in Bedford’s production of “Kiss Me Kate”. In addition to music, Denny enjoyed painting and crafts. Denny volunteered for The Samaritans and the Boston Athenaeum, and she was program chairperson for Case Western Reserve University New England Alumni. However, she found the most joy and fulfillment as a tour guide for Boston By Foot. She gave walking tours until the age of 85, and at age 80 won “ Supreme Tour Guide of the Year” for giving the most tours. In 2001, Denny and Ralph moved to the Village at Duxbury, where they both thoroughly enjoyed their final years. After Ralph’s passing in 2006, Denny met John Vensel, a Village resident, and they fell in love. Their relationship was full of fun and spontaneity; a relationship they often described as “Disney World”. Denny’s life was characterized by a zest for living. She traveled the world and made life-long friends in almost every country she visited. Denny was warm, vivacious and generous. She made baklava for everyone who ever did anything kind to her. Her husband and soul mate Ralph predeceased Denny. She leaves her dear friend John Vensel, daughters Thalia Pine of Lawrence and Paki Spears of Duxbury, and granddaughter Rhusha Spears of Newtonville. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First Parish Church in Sudbury on Jan. 11 at 2:00. Donations may be made online at doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/tribute.cfm or by mail to 333 7th Ave.2nd floor, New York, NY 10001-5004.