GLOUCESTER: Donna J. (Carter) Sheehan, lifelong resident of Gloucester, passed away unexpectedly early Wednesday evening, July 28,2010 as she was overcome by the current while swimming at Good Harbor Beach in Gloucester. She was 56 years old.
Born in Gloucester on November 16, 1953, she was the daughter of the late George B. and Arline M. (Santos) Carter. She was the sixth of seven children, was educated in Gloucester public schools, and was a graduate of Gloucester High School with the Class of 1972. During those childhood and adolescent years, she was also a member of the Girl Scouts, and later the St. Peter’s Bagpipe Band. As a teen, she began working at Lobsta Land, and then for many years at Gorton’s of Gloucester after her high school days. She also worked for Cyrk in Gloucester. But it was after being employed at the Cape Ann Nursing Home as a nursing assistant that Donna found herself drawn to the healthcare field, which resulted in her finding private nursing jobs on Cape Ann over the years. In her most recent healthcare occupation, she was employed for several years at a local nursing home. During the time in between, Donna also returned to school at North Shore Community College, where she took many classes and received credits in law, writing and journalism. Donna loved to read, and had read hundreds of novels over her lifetime, and counted Stephen King among her favorite authors. She was also a lover of music, and it is worth noting that she was an avid Bruce Springsteen fan, and had attended over twenty of his concerts over the past twenty five years – almost all of which she attended with her younger brother Michael.
But above and beyond her love for books and music, Donna always put her love for her family first. She was immeasurably proud of her two children and supported them in all their activities by filling many roles from Cub Scout leader to cheerleading mother for the former Gloucester Seahawks youth programs; and in later years, was even more proud of her grandchildren. She adored her three grandchildren, and she even made a special effort to be a care giving grandmother figure when her daughter Jennifer was a foster parent for a young boy in recent years. With Donna, it was family first, no matter what.
The heart-broken family she leaves behind are her son, Christopher A. Carter and his wife Nancy of Shandaken, NY; her daughter, Jennifer L. Sheehan of Beverly; grandchildren, Iris J. Carter and Autumn A. Carter of Shandaken, NY; and Joshua B. Sheehan of Beverly; two sisters, Barbara A. Carter of Beverly, and Joanne M. Carter of Rockport; and one brother, Michael R. Carter and his wife Ellen, of West Roxbury; and special mention of her former spouse, Paul R. Sheehan, who remained her close friend and never stopped being there when Donna was in need; and lastly, she leaves her beloved feline companion “Alsaysha” in the loving care of her family. In addition to her parents, George and Arline Carter, Donna was predeceased by three siblings, William I. Carter; Jeanette I. Carter, and George L. Carter.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 7th, at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Parish, St. Ann Church, Pleasant Street, Gloucester. There are no visiting hours. Private committal services will be held at sea at a later date. Please omit flowers. Donations may be made to the family, c/o Christopher Carter, 794 State Route 42, Shandaken, NY 12480-5804 to help cover expenses or the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 260 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930.