Donna Lee (Sievert) Damalas, 67, of Concord, passed away surrounded by her family on March 16, 2023 after a long battle with ALS.
Donna leaves behind her devoted husband of 41 years, Steve, her son Nick, daughter Tina and her husband Michael Hodges, and her grandson Finn Hodges. Predeceased by her parents, her in-laws, and her sister Beverly Sievert, she also leaves behind her sisters Kathy Coe and Barbara Barnett and their families, and countless incredible friends and loved ones who are considered extensions of her family.
Born March 5, 1956 in Meriden, Connecticut, to the late Edward and Bertha Sievert, Donna grew up as the third of four sisters on her parents’ dairy farm in Meriden and attended Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, where she met her husband Steve when she was a freshman and he was a junior in 1974. They settled in Concord and have resided in the community for 43 years. She worked in human resources until she dedicated herself to her role as a mother. And she was the best mother – her children hit the jackpot with her as their teacher, their storyteller, their advocate and their confidante.
Donna was often a volunteer, a fundraiser and an organizer in many roles to support her children and her community, stepping up whenever and however needed. She adored travel and explored many countries and cultures with her husband and often with her children, her friends, and extended family. She especially loved beaches, (“heaven is a beautiful beach,” she often said), safaris and southeast Asia.
But most of all, her favorite place was her family’s home on Cape Cod, where she spent many hours – and many happy hours – looking out onto Ockway Bay at sunset, speeding all over Nantucket Sound in the boat and sunning on the Spit. On Cape Cod and everywhere, she was widely considered to be “the hostess with the mostest” by friends, family and sometimes even strangers who benefitted from her generosity and warm spirit. An incredible cook and baker, she hosted dinners and parties with a gracefulness that made it all look easy. She was a convenor and a connector with a natural gift for and genuine commitment to making others feel welcome and included. Donna will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew and loved her.
Family and friends will gather for visiting hours on Friday, March 31 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 1 at 10 am in First Parish, 20 Lexington Road, Concord Center.
Burial will follow at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s memory may be made to Compassionate Care ALS (www.ccals.org).
Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Donna’s online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com.
