Donna F. Cole

On Friday, December 4, 2020, Donna Fennell Cole of Chelmsford, MA, passed away at the age of 83 after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was the loving mother of 2 and grandmother of 6.

Born in Taft, California on May 19,1937, Donna was the youngest daughter of Hugh and Dorothea (Ludtke)Fennell.  She grew up in Seattle, WA where she took singing lessons as a young girl, and her love for music and singing flourished.  She graduated from the University of Washington where she sang soprano in the Opera Theater and in other community opera groups throughout Seattle.

Donna married her late husband Charles B. Cole in 1963.  They moved to Lexington Massachusetts with their two children Brian and Laney in 1980, where they lived until moving to Chelmsford in 2011.  Donna and Charles were longtime members of the Unitarian Church in Bedford, MA where Donna was a devoted member of the choir.  She was an associate professor at Lesley University where she taught English Writing and Composition from 1980 until her retirement in 2011.

In addition to her love for music, Donna had a passion for reading.  Her idea of a dream vacation was a stack of books and a comfortable couch with a view.  She loved to watch British comedies and mysteries/dramas and would laugh at the same jokes night after night.

Donna is preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles Cole and her brother Bill Fennel.  She is survived by her son Brian Cole of Watertown, MA , her daughter Laney Peterson (Tim) of Apalachicola, FL and her 6 adoring grandchildren Lauren Cole and Lance, Sean, Alex, Christina, and Cali Peterson.  Donna is also survived by many in-laws, loving nieces and nephews and a host of longtime friends.

A virtual memorial service will be planned for after the new year with a small outside service later in the spring/summer.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to Lesley University Urban Scholars Initiative.