Donna Lee (Demeritt) (Keough) Nelson
September 7, 2011
Donna Lee (Demeritt) (Keough) Nelson, 68, passed away on September 7, 2011 in Salem Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Frederick N. Nelson. Born in Peabody on Sept. 18, 1942, she was the daughter of the late Ralph M. and Geraldine (McGlue) Demeritt. She was raised and educated in Salem and was a graduate of Salem High School, Class of 1960. After graduating from nursing school, she worked as a nurse for many years for the Dept. of Youth Services and also enjoyed waitressing over the years. She was devoted to her children and grandchildren and loved spending time with family and her friends. After raising her children in Danvers, she lived at Fuller Pond Village in Middleton. She and her husband traveled extensively all over the world. Highlights of her travels were a three week trip to Alaska, followed by the North Pole, a cruise through the Inside Passage, and ending with a three week trip to 10 countries in Europe. Besides her husband Frederick, she is survived by a son, Gary Keough of Danvers, a daughter, Kelly DuPont and her husband Jonathan of Beverly, three grandchildren, Ashley and Brooke Keough and Jamie DuPont. She also leaves behind her former husband, Gary “Butch” Keough and his wife Kendal of Peabody, her sister, Joyce Villani of Marblehead, a sister-in-law, Ellen (Belock) Demeritt of SC, her aunt, Leona Farnham of Peabody, two nieces, a nephew and several cousins. She was predeceased by her brother, Air Force Major Ralph Demeritt. A Graveside Service will be held on Tues, Sept.13, 2011 at 11:30AM in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Sylvan St., Danvers. Visiting hours are Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011 from 3-7PM at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s name to the American Heart Assoc., P.O. Box, 417005, Boston, MA, 02241.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Just a message from your loving daughter….You were the most amazing woman I have ever known and the very best mother I could have ever asked for. I am so blessed to have had you by my side and I will miss you profoundly. May peace be with you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Love, Kelly
So sorry to hear about Donna. She will be missed. Thelma and Irwin Gordon
In a perfect world we’d all have someone who listens without judgment, who cares without limits, who values honesty over appearances and effort over accomplishment. In a perfect world we’d all have somebody who accespt us just the way we are. That is my BEST FRIEND DONNA. I am so blessed to have had you in my life and you will live in my heart forever. My condolences to Fred, Gary, Kelly and her family also Butch and Kendall Deb Linskey Deb Linskey
My deepest sympathy to Donna’s family. I only knew her for a short time, but thought of her as a very dear friend. I will miss her.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Hold on to the memories…when we think of your mom we both remember her infectious laugh and her wonderful sense of humor. Darrin and Heidi
I graduated in the same class as Donna Demeritt from Bowditch school in Salem in 1956. It’s not always easy to remember school classmates from 55 years ago, but Donna was very memorable. I especially remember what great athletic talent she had in 8th grade. She and Paula were better athletes than most of the boys. Rest in Peace, Donna. From an old, old friend, Mike Henry