Holly Jean Donahue

Holly J. Donahue, 56, of Southington, passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at the Summit at Plantsville surrounded by her loving family and friends after a 4 year battle with cancer. She was strong, determined and hopeful until the bitter-end.

Holly was born on September 4, 1967 in Southington to her parents Gary B. Donahue and Simonne Cyr-Gould. She enlisted in the United States Army in 1985 two weeks after graduating Southington High School and did her basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. While serving in the Army she worked her way to the rank of 2Lieutenant. Her notable achievements include becoming a member of 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, NC where she became a Jump Master. She specialized as a Military Intelligence Officer and Multichannel Communications Systems Operator. After the Army, she worked for a short time at U.S. Surgical Corporation before entering the Police Academy. She graduated from the Police Academy at the top of her class and accepted a Patrol Officer job at the City of Hartford Police Department. She was small but mighty and quickly became one of the most respected women police officers the City has ever had. During her 20 years, she was quite involved as the first and only women K9 Handler with her partners Champ II and Moffett, she started the Hartford chapter of the Police Unity tour cycling from Hartford, CT to Washington, DC to the National Law Enforcement Memorial each May, she was a Field Training Officer (trained several new officers), she was a member of the Marine unit (dive team), a scuba diver, trained in crisis intervention, a member of the Police Benevolent Association, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, a member of the HPD Emerald Irish Society, the HPD Italian Officer Association and a member of the police and fire association. Holly loved showing off her K9 partner's at local City schools, always supported fallen officers and their families and finished her career as the 4th ranking senior officer. Her HPD family describes Holly as a beast, loyal, respected, tough as nails law enforcement officer, athletic, an amazing friend, a great officer, brave, strong, always helping others, always had a smile, inspirational and a kind soul. After retiring in 2016, Holly became a Park Ranger for the State of CT in East Hartford for a short time before accepting her employment as Motor Vehicle Inspector assigned to the Dealer Enforcement Unit in the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division at the CT DMV.

Holly was a dog mom to Brock, Pesky and Hotrod. She volunteered and fostered dogs with TLS Sweet Souls Rescue. Holly was adventurous and loved the outdoors. She loved sports from a very young age and played little league baseball, basketball and soccer. She was on the SHS class of 1985 State Championship Softball team and was an long time member of a Southington Women's Softball team. She loved the Red Sox, Pittsburgh Steelers and UCONN sports teams. However, her greatest passion was her family. She took pride and joy in spoiling her nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She is survived by her Mother, Simonne E. Cyr-Gould (Michael Gould) and Father, Gary B. Donahue (Francine Donahue), her sister Simonne Donahue Corriveau (Bruce Corriveau), her brothers Gary B. Donahue II (Heather Donahue), Kelly J. Donahue (Shannon Donahue) and Thomas M. Donahue (Teresa Donahue). Several nieces and nephews Krista Vermeersch (Jesse Vermeersch), Kyle Corriveau (Casey Corriveau), Ashley Donahue, Gary Donahue III, Camden Donahue, Brendan Donahue, Kealey Donahue, Isabella Donahue and Callia Donahue. Great nieces and nephews Noah Corriveau-Moschini, Maverick Vermeersch, Peyton Vermeersch, Makenna Corriveau and Parker Epright.

A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Yale New Haven Smilow Cancer Center, The Summit at Plantsville, Athena Hospice, Daniella Riccitelli and Jennifer Tepper for their care and compassion in treating Holly. Finally, the love and support of the Hartford Police Department has helped our family tremendously in a very difficult time. We cannot thank you enough and are eternally grateful.

Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 17th at 10:15 a.m. from the DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Southington to St. Dominic Church, 1050 Flanders Rd., Southington for a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. Calling Hours will be Monday from 4-7 p.m. For online condolences and directions please visit, www.dellavecchiasdouthington.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Police Unity Tour via https://policeunitytour.com/