M. Donna LeClair

Mrs. M. Donna (FitzGerald) LeClair, of Mattapoisett, formerly of Waltham, died Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital following a period of declining health.  She was 84.

Donna was born in Malden on June 23, 1938, a daughter of the late James P. and Violet M. (Carroll) FitzGerald.  She was raised in Waltham and was a 1956 graduate of Waltham High School.  Four years later she earned a teaching degree from Bridgewater State College.  After that she taught in local schools. Following her 1961 marriage to West Newton native L. Richard LeClair, Jr. and with the arrival of their five children, she became a full-time Mom extraordinaire.

Donna maintained a lifelong passion for gardening, flowers and nature.  She and Dick and the kids spent many happy summers in Mattapoisset which became their fulltime home following retirement in 2006.  She could frequently be found at Crescent Beach.

She was a longtime volunteer and guide at the Garden in the Woods in Framingham, a forty-five acre botanical woodland that Donna grew to love. She was also a member of the College Club and Jaycee’s, both in Waltham and the Waltham Garden Club.

Donna instilled a creative spirit in her children and inspired them to enjoy life’s simple gifts . . . gathering around the table to enjoy a delicious family meal . . . working in the garden . . . and being unafraid to follow their passions.

The wife of the late L. Richard LeClair (†January 29, 2011), she leaves her children, Maura L. Connolly (Tom) of Centerville, Virginia, Julie M. Dale (Chad) of Hingham, L. Richard LeClair, III, (Jackie) of Waltham, Patrick J. LeClair (Kathleen) of Mattapoisett and Kate M. Dwyer (Kevin) of Waltham; her grandchildren, Nieve Connolly, Colin, Aidan and Ciara Dale, Jack LeClair (Emma Herlihy), Charlie, James and Cormac LeClair and Caroline and Mary Dwyer; her sister, Jane Egan of Lakeville and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Donna was also a sister of the late Margaret Lord.

Family and friends will honor and remember Donna’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, December 18^th from 2 to 5 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Monday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.