Conlin, Donna (DeCourcy) 68, longtime Wellesley resident passed away peacefully at home on February 25th, 2013 with her loving husband of 45 years, Jim, and daughter, Anne, beside her. Donna was born in 1945 in Fort Benning, Georgia and grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut. She attended The Chaffee School, The University of Maine at Orono, and received her Master of Education from Boston University. At the University of Maine, she met James Conlin, whom she married in 1967. She began her career as a special education teacher in the Bedford Public Schools. After a brief stint as a sail maker, Donna spent 35 years in human resources for technology companies including Software Arts, Digital Equipment Corporation, and most recently as the Global Director of Organizational Development and Coaching at the Bose Corporation. In this role, she traveled around the world building the Bose organization and providing executive coaching; she was trotting around Europe in a power suit and heels as recently as December. Donna was a personal and professional inspiration and close friend to her daughter, Anne, now 28. Donna had an uncommon amount of energy which she applied to rhythmic dance classes and exhausting her family on vacations. She also enjoyed gardening, knitting, and sailing with her family.
Visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt. 16) Wellesley, Thursday February 28 from 4-7 PM. A memorial service with reception to follow will be held Friday March 1 at 1:30 PM at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church 207 Washington St. (Rt 16) Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.