It is with a sad heart that we report that one of our most faithful members, Donna McDaniel, died earlier this month at age 89.
Newspaper reporter, author, teacher, musician and the first woman ever elected to the Board of Selectmen in Southborough, she was a trailblazer in so many fields.
In 2011, she published, after many years of work, a book for the Society, Southborough Memories. In it, she used her considerable skills as a reporter to interview dozens of long-time Southborough residents, weaving together stories of a small farming town that seem almost unbelievable today. True to form, she wisely recognized that these memories were on the cusp of disappearance, and gathered them together to form an invaluable portrait of life in Southborough from the 1920s to the 1960s.
To celebrate her life, we’ve republished the book HERE for all to enjoy. We’ve also spoken with the Select Board, and they have kindly agreed to lower the flag at the Town House on Saturday, August 3rd, the day of Donna’s memorial service. We’ll also be donating a shade tree to be planted in Donna’s memory across the street from the library where a giant beech was lost during the road reconstruction.
I think our gentle, kind, Quaker friend would be pleased. She will be much missed.
Godspeed Donna, and thank you.
Godspeed, indeed. Thinking of her and her wonderful family. Comfort to them .