Jane Donnel

Mystic — Jane A. Donnel, 83, of Mystic passed away Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Avalon in Mystic. Daughter of the late Joseph and Eva York MacDonald, Jane grew up in Dry Mills, Gray, Maine, where she graduated with honors from Pennell Institute. She received a scholarship to Pierce Secretarial School in Boston, Mass., where she met the love of her life, C. Philip Donnel III. Jane and Phil married in 1959 and settled in Mystic, where they raised their children, Phil, Chris, Turner and Mason.

Jane was deeply involved in civic organizations in the Mystic community, a trait she passed on to her children. She was the first woman president of the Mystic Community Center in 1982, and it was during her administration that the funds were raised for the new Community Center Building at Williams Beach, now the Mystic YMCA.

Jane was past president of the Mystic Junior Women’s Club and writing chairman of the Connecticut Federation of Women’s Clubs. She served on numerous boards and volunteered throughout southeastern Connecticut, including the Mystic Garden Club, the Mystic and Noank Library, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Mystic Museum of Art, the Mystic Historical Society, the Child & Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut, the Williams School Parents’ Association, The Mystic Depot Inc., the Main Street House Group Home, the River Shack Ecumenical Coffeehouse, the Fresh Air Program, and St. Mark’s Nursery School.

Jane was also very involved with the Mystic Congregational Church. She served as a former deacon, Sunday school teacher and youth leader. At the time of her death, she was the parish care co-captain, and she will be fondly remembered for the beautiful letters and cards she wrote to parish members and their families during their time of need.

Jane was an eloquent writer, and she received several awards for her creative writing, including an award for her children’s play “Barnacles and Bombs, a Fanciful Version of The Battle of Stonington,” which her grandchildren lovingly performed for her Christmas Day 2019. Jane participated in a writing group and often emailed her children and grandchildren copies of her writings. Her grandson, Tim, wrote “I’ve never been sure which stories of her are fact, or which are fiction — stealing Poppy away from the arms of another woman, moose hunting in the Maine wilderness, running up a tree to escape from a bear! There always seems to be a surprise behind her calm facade.”

Jane began her career in estate management in 1957 as the legal secretary for Jules E. Angolf, Esquire in Boston, Mass. In 1985, after raising her family, she was employed by O’Brien, Shafner, Bartinik, Stuart, and Kelly, PC. While working for the law firm, Jane earned her degree from the University of Connecticut in 1995. She retired from the firm in 2000.

Jane is survived by her sister, Judy Ehrhart of Nova Scotia, Canada; her dear cousin Doris Morrison of Gray, Maine; and her children, C. Philip Donnel IV and Jennifer of Mystic, Turner A. Donnel and Joann of Groton, and Mason D. Donnel and Sue of Voluntown. She is also survived by her grandchildren, C. Philip Donnel V (Quintus), Sophia Donnel, Haley York, Sarah Glas, Tim Donnel, Amy Jones, Jessica Donnel, Ben Donnel, Emily Donnel, Michael Donnel, Ian Donnel and Mehgann Lloyd; as well as her great-grandchildren, Jamie, Layla and Brynn.

Jane also leaves behind her nieces and nephews, Lorinda MacDonald, Nathan MacDonald, John MacDonald, Peter Ward, Phil Ward, Diana Guarino, Luanne Ehrhardt, Steven Ehrhardt and David Ehrhardt; as well as numerous cousins in Maine and England.

Jane was predeceased by her husband, C. Philip Donnel III; her son Ian; her daughter, Christiana; and her brother Malcolm MacDonald.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and staff of L+M Hospital, as well as the nurses and staff at Avalon for the exceptional care Jane received.

Calling hours will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2021, at the Dinoto Funeral Home,17 Pearl St., Mystic. A memorial service will be held at a later date when it is safe to do so. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Mystic Congregational Church or to the Mystic & Noank Library in Jane’s name.