Donna Lee (Holland) Lamonde

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of retiree Donna Lee (Holland) Lamonde on May 17 at the McCarthy Care Center in Sandwich, Mass. She was resting peacefully with her sisters by her side.  She was 69.

Donna was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and spent her childhood in New Hampshire. After graduating from high school, she attended beauty school. In 1972, she moved to Centerville, Mass., with her son. She worked at Colonial Candle Co. in Hyannis, for many years. She then moved to Falmouth and began her career at WHOI in 1986 in the Finance and Accounting Office as a data entry clerk.  In 1987, she was promoted to accounting assistant and promoted to senior accounting assistant in 1991.  She joined the Development Office in 1992 as staff assistant III for Associates and Gift Management. In 2010, her title changed to accountant II and she continued to manage the gift accounting function in Development until she retired in 2014. After retirement, Donna volunteered weekly in the Development Office until March 2017.

Donna loved nature, walking on the beach, gardening, “yardsale-ing,” trips to the library, and reading a good book.

“Donna was very devoted to her position here at WHOI and was considered an expert in gift regulations and best practices” said Peggy Daly of the Development Office. “She was tenacious in her quest for answers.  If you asked her a question – whether it was about gift accounting, plants, or health, she’d research tirelessly until she found the best answer. She will be greatly missed.”

Donna was predeceased by her parents Robert C. Holland and Clarice P. Holland. Donna is survived by her son Christopher F. Lamonde and his wife Kim; grandson Jordan C. Lamonde; sisters Penny Holland and Judy Crandall and her husband William; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life for Donna on Cape Cod in the near future and one in N.H. in September of 2017.

Memorial donations may be made to Hope Hospice, McCarthy Care Center, Sandwich, Mass, or to the charity of one’s choice.