Donna Davis

Born in 1931 in New York to Harold and Sylvia Davis, she grew up among a large extended family. She thrived at Midwood High and graduated in 1953 from Wellesley College. After marrying and having four girls, she returned to graduate studies and earned a Masters in City Planning from MIT in 1972.

Donna had a professional career when it was rare among women in her generation, leading the way for her daughters and women of future generations. In the 1970’s, she worked as the Noise Abatement Officer for Boston Logan Airport and successfully negotiated important measures for the airport and the neighboring towns bringing together diverse constituents. Later she worked as a consultant at BBN Associates focused on environmental services and the burgeoning technology sector. Donna then became a solo practitioner providing marketing services to the software sector.

Retirement at age 75 barely slowed Donna down as she poured herself into networking, informal mentoring and volunteering with a robust reserve of energy, creativity, and determination. Donna volunteered for Cambridge Legal Services and the Cambridge Immigration Commission, provided pro bono services for Executive Service Corps, served dinners to the needy at Christ Church, mentored emerging philanthropists as a team leader for The Philanthropy Connection and supported disability claimants for De Novo. Most notably, she found great inspiration and purpose as the President of the Cambridge Public Library Foundation where she brought her common-sense practicality and idea-generating talents.

Donna’s long list of friends included those from camp, college, her professional and retirement lives. She enjoyed concerts, dance performances, shows and museums in Boston, New York and wherever she traveled extensively. Donna loved sharing her travels and cultural interests with family (especially grandchildren!) and friends.

Donna is survived by four daughters, Liz (Ned) Hazen of Belmont, MA, Jane Rascal of Newburyport, MA, Sally Berman of Rome, Italy and Connie (Giles) Moore of Weston, MA; six grandchildren, Julia (Zev Simpser) and Adam Hazen, Silvia and Davide Ciannella, and Lydia and Charlie Moore, one great-grandson, Ben Simpser, and one brother, Andrew (Jessica) of New York. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Linda, her niece Margot and many beloved friends.

A service to honor Donna will be held at 1PM on Friday, September 9th at the Main Branch of the Cambridge Public Library in the Lecture Hall, Level L2 (downstairs) at 449 Broadway, Cambridge.

A reception will follow at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Donna Davis Fund at the Cambridge Public Library (https://www.cplfound.org/ )