Elaine A. (Colombo) Donaghue

Elaine A. (Colombo) Donaghue, age 77, of Stow, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 20, 2023.  She was the loving wife of Patrick J. Donaghue.  

Elaine was born in Marlborough, Massachusetts on May 7, 1946, the daughter of the late Antonio and Katherine (Borodowka) Colombo.  She was raised and educated in Maynard, graduating from Maynard High School, class of 1964. Elaine and Patrick married on March 7, 1971 and settled in Stow to raise their family.   

In High School Elaine enjoyed working at the Maynard Fine Arts Theatre. Later, throughout the 1990's she worked as a museum interpreter at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard.

Elaine loved New England. She enjoyed raising sheep and goats on her and Patrick's Heath Hen Meadow farm in Stow. She was a hand-spinner, dyer, weaver, knitter, and felter of the wool from their flock. She was a member of the Boston Area Spinners and Dyer's group, the Nashoba Valley Weaver's Guild, and the Wayside Inn embroidery group. Her skills and talent with arts and crafts were always notable. She was an amazing cook and baker, and her apple pie was once judged to be the runner-up to the National Champion. She was an active member of the Boston Shaker Study group, and loved Shaker history and aesthetics. Elaine was an avid reader, prolific gardener, and animal lover.  She loved antiques, history, Art, and nature.

Elaine is survived by her husband, Patrick J. Donaghue of Stow, MA; her children, Melissa Donaghue and husband Mike Dillon of St. Louis, MO; Rebecca Donaghue and husband Artie Gilkes of State College, PA; her sister, Kathy Corrigan and husband Dennis Corrigan of Maynard, MA; many nieces and nephews.  Elaine was predeceased by her brother Richard C. Colombo.  
 

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Elaine on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Fowler-Kennedy Funeral Home, 42 Concord Street, Maynard. Her Graveside Service will be celebrated on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget’s Cemetery Great Road, Maynard.

Gifts in her memory may be made to Leukemia Research Foundation 191 Waukegan Rd #105, Northfield, IL 60093.