Donna Aiken MacNeil

Donna A. MacNeil, 67, of Salem, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, December 4, 2011 at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany surrounded by her loving family.

Donna was born September 16, 1944 in Troy, NY, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Elinor (Pine) Aiken. She grew up in South Cambridge and was a 1962 graduate of Cambridge Central School and Ellis Hospital School of Nursing in Schenectady. After completing nursing school, Donna was then employed as a Registered Nurse at the Mary McClellan Hospital in Cambridge.

Donna was married to her husband, Dale MacNeil, on October 23, 1965 and they began their family in Salem, NY. Donna left her nursing profession briefly to raise her five children. She then returned to nursing upon being appointed School Nurse at Salem Central School, a position she enjoyed for several years. Afterwards, Donna was a Director, Secretary and Treasurer of the Salem Mutual Town Fire Insurance Company from 1993 until 2005.

Donna was a devout Catholic and was an active communicant of Holy Cross Church in Salem where she was a member and currently served as Treasurer of the Altar Rosary Society. Donna was always involved in all church activities including meals, Holiday activities and many other events at the Church.

Donna was very fond of her flower gardens especially her perennial gardens. She enjoyed many hobbies including cross stitching, however, the most important thing in Donna's life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she cherished so much.

Donna is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dale MacNeil; her children, David MacNeil and his wife Debby of Glenville, NY, Mark MacNeil and his wife Beth of Canandaigua, NY, Carol McPhee and her husband Donald of Salem, Steven MacNeil and his wife Rachel of Hoosick Falls, NY and Scott MacNeil and his wife Robin of Kingsbury, NY. She is also survived by her two brothers, Gerald Aiken and his wife Cathy of Cambridge and Kenneth Aiken and his wife Terry of Hazlet, NJ; her twelve grandchildren, Jake, Haley, Zachary, Luke, Jaydon, Parker, Carlin, Mary, Amber, Connor, Michael and Tyler as well as nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 4-8 pm at the McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at Holy Cross Church, 249 Main Street, Salem with Rev. Liam Condon officiating. Interment will follow the mass at Holy Cross Cemetery in Salem.

Those who wish to remember Donna in a special way may make memorial contributions in her memory to the Holy Cross Church Altar Rosary Society, P.O. Box 357, Salem, NY 12865 or the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY 12865.

 

 

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