Donna J (Collins) Hemingway

Newport, NH: Donna J. Hemingway, 83, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 8, 2020.  She was born on September 2, 1936 in Georges Mills, NH to the late Donald and Merle (Woodward) Collins and has lived in the area her entire life. 

Donna worked as a secretary at a few local businesses and worked in home health care.  Donna loved being outdoors and special times at the ocean.  She liked swimming, flowers, and puttering in her garden.  She enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, and music.  It brought her joy and comfort to listen to her son play guitar in her later years.

Donna and her sister-in-law and best friend since childhood, Val Hemingway, would go calluping in search of wine, ice cream, and mischief.  The two of them were affectionately called, Thelma and Louise, and enjoyed many years of fun and friendship.  Donna liked to cook with her grandkids and her great-granddaughter and would cook a weekly meal with her.  She enjoyed get togethers at the Red Baron with friends and family. 

Donna attended the Methodist Church in Newport and later the Croydon Church.  She had a wonderful sense of humor.  She loved spending time with her family and friends.  Thanks to her daughter in law, Linda, Donna was able to spend the last months of her life at Mike and Linda's home.

Donna was predeceased by her parents, husband of 56 years, Allen "Punk" Hemingway in 2012, companion, Bob Burby in 2018, and sister, Doris Osgood.

Surviving family include, son, Michael Hemingway and his wife, Linda of Newport, daughter, Dodi Violette and her husband, Dana of Newport, grandchildren, Justin Hemingway and his wife, Shannon, Corey Violette and his significant other Katie, and her children, Caleb and Summer, Alyssa Shepard, and Logan Shepard, great-granddaughter, Ava Mae Violette, and many extended family members and friends. 

A celebration of Donna's life will take place on Saturday August 22, 2020 at 1PM at the family home at 235 Cutts Road, Newport, NH.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Sunapee VNA and Hospice at P.O. Box 2209, New London, NH 03257 or to Sullivan County Human Society at P. O. Box 111, Claremont, New Hampshire  03743.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna J (Collins) Hemingway, please visit our floral store.