Donna E. Ellis

Donna E. Ellis, 73, of Peterborough, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born on January 26, 1944 in Boston, MA, daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Keenan) Fellows. She grew up on Adams Shore in Quincy, MA graduating from Quincy High School in 1961 and later from Bridgewater State College in 1965.

Donna loved being a teacher and retired after 40 years and having touched thousands of student’s lives throughout her career. Mrs. Ellis first taught in Squantum, MA and later at St. John’s School in Canton, MA before she moved to Peterborough in 1979. She then taught and was vice-principal for many years at Saint Patrick School in Jaffrey, and later a teacher at Rindge Memorial School where she was awarded the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year.

She was committed to teaching the fundamentals to each of her students in their own individual learning style. She was loved by generations of her students and their families and was greatly respected by her peers and all who knew her.

Mrs. Ellis was a communicant of the Divine Mercy Parish, formerly St. Peter’s Church in Peterborough where she served in many capacities on the altar, in the guild and throughout the region. Donna’s grace and faith came across to all through her actions and love of others, not only her words.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Joseph M. Ellis on April 9, 2005 and by her brother who had died at birth.

She is survived by her husband of 6 years, David Holmes of Peterborough; her daughters, Kerry Close of Peterborough and Tracey Ellis and her husband Fabio Cataldi of Beverly Farms, MA; her grandchildren, Meghan, Connor and Ryan Close, all of Peterborough; brothers Gerald and his wife Derry Fellows of Duxbury, MA; James Fellows of Roxbury, MA, and her sister Judy and Bill Turner of Quincy, MA; a beloved extended family and many friends.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 1:00 pm to 4:00pm, at the Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street, (Rte. 202) Jaffrey.

On Monday, November 27, 2017, a calling hour will be held at Divine Mercy Church, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 from 10:00am to 11:00am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Michael Taylor, Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery in Peterborough.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Mrs. Ellis to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284, or to the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, 15 Highland View Road, Cumberland, RI 02864-1124 in special recognition of Sr. Kathryn LaCasse and Sr. Monique St. Cyr.