Donna Rancourt Newington, Connecticut Obituary

Donna Rancourt

<p>Donna Rancourt, 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 3, 2022 after living with Alzheimer’s disease.</p><p><br></p><p>Born and raised in Springfield, Mass., Donna was the daughter of Agnes and Edward Hellyer. She graduated from Classical High School with highest academic distinction. Donna received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and enjoyed a successful career as an actuarial analyst in Hartford, Conn.</p><p><br></p><p>Donna married Henry Rancourt in 1976. They shared a wonderful life together for 46 years, and Henry will miss her forever. Donna was a devoted mother to her stepdaughter Alana, and they were the best of friends. Donna was always an engaged, playful, and loving grandmother to Alana’s son Case.</p><p><br></p><p>Donna was gifted with kindness in her heart and a sincere care for everyone. She was a dancer, a crochet artist, an avid gardener, a fashion lover, and a champion crossword puzzler! She loved to laugh with friends, and was quite clever and creative in how she used humor to ease the intensity of life. Her brilliance and energy lit up a room, and her spirit will continue to inspire her family and friends.</p><p><br></p><p>Donna was predeceased by her parents, Agnes and Edward, younger brother, Daniel Hellyer, and beloved family members Cousin Bernice and Aunt Mary.</p><p><br></p><p>Donna is survived by her husband Henry, daughter Alana (husband Jim), and grandson Case, and extended family members who gave her much joy throughout her life, including Katherine Rancourt, the Hellyer and Cipriani families, the Pelland family, and her “Travelers” family.</p><p><br></p><p>Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, May 20th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a celebration of Donna’s life at 10:30 a.m. the Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington. Donations in Donna’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association through their website at www.alz.org. Your donation will help continue the work in providing Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. To share a memory with her family, please visit us at www.duksa.net.</p><p><br><br></p><p></p>
September 29, 1948 - December 3, 202209/29/194812/03/2022
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Anonymous
May 15, 2023
With Love,Katherine and Steven
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Alana Phinney
January 28, 2023
Photo provided by Meredith Downey, a longtime friend. Donna and Meredith volunteered together for five or six years as clowns to bring cheer and fun to the athletes at the Special Olympic Games in Conn. Pictured: Meredith (left), Donna (center), another volunteer and fri... Continue Reading
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Alana Phinney
January 28, 2023
From Sharon Zeruk, 12/10/22
Donna will be missed by so many. She was a great friend since the 1970ґs through work and we had loads of fun through the years and at work. So smart, so funny, a fashionista and great sense of humor. So happy she is no longer fighting the bat...
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Alana Phinney
January 28, 2023
From Kathy Larew, 12/11/22
I'm so sorry to hear of Donna's passing. I had the pleasure of meeting her during her brief stay at the Atrium. My mom is a resident there and I'd see Donna often when I visited. Reading her obituary helped me put the pieces together of who she...
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Alana Phinney
January 28, 2023
From Lucy Pelland, 12/11/22
Having first met Donna in kindergarten, I have many fond memories of our time together. We spent hours playing, riding our bikes to nowhere in particular, and chatting about any and everything. When Donna met Henry, we also came to know and lo...
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