Donna L. D'Addario

Donna Lee D’Addario, age 87, of Fairfield, CT went into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on June 6, 2026. Born in Windsor, VT in 1938, she was the daughter of Robert and Ivis (Woodley) Gay. She lived her adult life in Fairfield and after graduating from Roger Ludlow High School, she went to work as McKesson and Robbins in Fairfield. It was there that she met and married the love of her life, Joe D’Addario. Together they raised four beloved children: Gary Brian of Colebrook, CT., Mark Alden of Santee, CA., Robert Joseph of Fairfield, CT., and Judi Clare, who predeceased her in 2000.

Donna was a member of Black Rock Congregational Church for over 50 years and employed by Black Rock Nursery School for 17 years. She enjoyed cooking, baking, writing poetry, crafting, and hospitality. Over the years, she incorporated these loves in working with children and care ministries. She wrote and published a book about her family heritage called Bessie Wheeler Gay- Her Story.

For many years, she was involved with the Fairfield Police Wives Association, which sent care packages to deployed service personnel.

Her greatest passion was being a Wife, Mother, and Grandmother and spending precious time with each of them.

In her retirement years, she and her husband of 59 years enjoyed much traveling, mostly with Young At Heart, a Senior Group from their church.

Besides her three sons, her survivors include her beloved daughter-in-love Jody, 6 grandchildren: Ashton, Brent, Gunnar, Hunter, Max, Cameron, and 3 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her two sisters, Linda Loegel of NC and Connie Mann of NY, along with her special nieces and nephews. She was also blessed with many devoted friends.

She was predeceased by her husband Joe and her daughter Judi.

Friends and family may gather to pay their respects on Thursday, June 11th from 5-7pm at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield CT. Interment will be private.