Northampton, MA – Donna (LaFleur) Akers, daughter of the late Donald and Eva LaFleur, passed away October 18th surrounded by her loving family. Donna was a devoted and dedicated caregiver her entire life. After raising six children, she took care of both of her parents in their later years. She was a Certified Nurses’ Assistant for the Hampshire County Longterm Care facility for thirty-five years. After retirement, she continued her caring service by volunteering at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
Donna’s family is most proud of their mother’s perseverance in the face of adversity. Life threw her many challenges, and she met every one of them with quiet strength and dignity. As a full-time working mother, Donna put her creative skills to good use making and selling crafts to earn extra money. She delighted friends and family with hand-made jewelry, doll clothes, blankets and quilts. Through her hard work and dedication, she was able to survive challenging personal circumstances and successfully build a life on her own.
In her spare time, Donna enjoyed tending her garden, canning vegetables and sauces, and cooking. All of her children have fond memories of their Mom’s home-cooked meals, especially homemade pizza and lasagne on Saturday nights and large Sunday dinners with the whole family.
Donna is survived by her six children, Kim Duffy, Lynne Perrier and her husband Steven Perrier, Lori McSheffrey, Wendy Perrier, Brett Akers and his partner Brian Boeglin and Scott Akers and his wife Lily Akers; eight grandchildren, Amanda Duffy, Samantha Duffy and her Husband Joseph Monast, Adam Perrier and his wife Rachelle Fecteau, Dylan Perrier and his partner Laura Wells, James McSheffrey and his partner Heather Moore, Jeremy McSheffrey, Chelsea Perrier and Eva Boeglin; four great-grandchildren; her Brother Eugene LaFleur and his wife Judy LaFleur; and her sister-in-law, Nancy LaFleur and her sister-in-law and dear friend, Pauline Akers. She is predeceased by her sister Gloria Webster and her brother Gordon LaFleur.
Services for Donna while be held on Thursday, October 23rd with Calling Hours at the Graham Funeral Home, 18 Adams Street in Easthampton from 8:45 -10:15 am followed with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11am at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 99 King Street in Northampton, Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery on Bridge Road in Northampton following the liturgy. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Donna’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online condolences please visit, rwgrahamfuneralhome.com
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