Donna Lee (Wood) Herr, 84 of North Providence, Rhode Island, passed away on April 30, 2026. She was a cherished women, mother, grandmother, wife, niece, aunt, cousin and friend, and her presence will be deeply missed. She was so dearly and deeply loved. We will miss her every day and always.

Donna was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts in 1941 to Josephine A. (Gromacki) Wood and Carleton E. Wood, both predeceased. She dedicated her life to her family. Her children were her everything. Her infectious laughter and most loving spirit brightened the lives of all who knew her. If you knew her, you loved her. If she loved you, you were blessed.

She grew up in the pioneer valley, including Greenfield and Northfield, Massachusetts. She loved to climb Sugarloaf Mountain. She was extremely active and considered by all to be tons of fun.

The family moved to Rochester, NY where she entered high school. She graduated high school from West High in 1959. She was a member of a sorority and had many friends during her 3 years at West High. She played what sports “girls” could play back then and played more anyway.

She had met her lifelong husband, John F. Herr, Sr. at John Marshall High during her freshman year. They were married in November 1961. Her husband was drafted very soon after their honeymoon and therefore she became a military wife. The military brought her to new places. She lived in Aberdeen, MD, Seattle, WA, and Wurzburg, Germany, where she had her son John F. Herr, Jr. While in Europe, they were able to travel to many beautiful countries and places and she loved to share the stories from that time. Once military service ended they came home to Rochester, NY where she had her second child, her first daughter, Traci D. Herr. Her family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where her third child, a second daughter, Tamra J Herr was born. After a tornado came too close for comfort, she said we were hunker down people, not take cover people and moved her family back to Massachusetts and the pioneer valley.

Once back in Massachusetts, she chose Justice Hill in Sterling, MA to build a home. They rented a home to live in on the same street and each day she would bring her kids to the home site and work on building the inside, including the walls, floors and finishings. She knew how to build homes and loved every part of it. One of her jobs was ensuring the homes she sold got built perfectly to specifications on home build sites. Each home she lived in throughout her years, she built an addition or a new room, upgraded or repaired something in them. Mom interviewed for and almost was the host of This Old House. This was at a time when no one thought a woman could/should host a show like this, but she was one of the finalists.

Her family moved several times over the years. During her time living in Vermont, she obtained her bachelor’s degree at the University of VT. She first got into computer sales and sold Apple computers as they were just starting out. She won many awards, including an original Mac. She was a pioneer of women in computers. She learned computers so well that she began to be able to fix computers as well. Over the years she began working in information technology and systems engineering and eventually got a job at Milton Bradley repairing and supporting all the computers in the company. She obtained her Master’s Degree during that time as well. While at MB, one of her larger projects she was tasked with and completed was making the print shop robotic. She was so proud to work at Milton Bradley and Hasbro after they eventually acquired MB. Her family was so proud of her too.

She loved so many things, including, fishing, painting, movies, music, her favorite was Barbra Streisand, being with her children and showing them the larger world, her family, friends, traveling, laughing, seeing and living in New England, animals, charity causes, hiking, cross-country skiing, and trying new things. She also loved Broadway Shows and Opera.

She leaves behind her husband, John F Herr, Sr. of North Providence, RI. Her son, John F Herr, Jr. of North Providence, RI. Her daughters, Traci D Herr of Wilbraham, MA and Tamra J Herr of North Providence, RI who was so grateful to share her home and life with her for the last ten years of her life. Her pride and joy grandchildren, her “other” son, Taylor J Herr & his wife Audrey of Franklin, MA and granddaughter Miranda N Jordan who also gave her a great grandchild, Quentin Parker. The furry kids, an amazing brilliant border collie and two beautifully sweet cats.

She leaves behind her very special Aunt “Kutchie”, Catherine Golash of Springfield, MA. She was unable to say Catherine as a child and therefore gave “Kutchie” her nickname the entire family still uses.

She leaves behind her sister(s) and brother-in-law, Lana & Charles O’Brien of Webster, NY, Lori Deragon of West Springfield, MA, Carla D’orazio of Florida, and Karlene Nielsen (predeceased) of West Springfield, MA.

And many wonderful cousins, nieces and nephews who were so special to her, including those who predeceased her. She always asked about all of them and checked up on them even if they didn’t know it.

She donated to several charities that were dear to her. If you could, please donate to the American Heart Association, The Arthritis Foundation or The Ronald McDonald House, in her name, she would be very grateful that you could help these causes.

Celebration of life for Mom

Where: Beveridge Pavillion at Stanley Park 400 Warren Ave., Westfield, MA 01085.

When: June 5, 2026 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm

What: We will have Mom’s favorites of great food, music, and memories. Come celebrate her life with us. We hope to see you there.