UNITY – Donna Marie Whitney, 76, passed away Dec. 29, 2012, surrounded by her family at Inland Hospital. She was born Oct. 11, 1936, in Lincoln, the youngest daughter of Bertrand and Sadie (Arthers) Lyons.
She attended school in Lincoln. She married Richard L. Whitney, Feb. 15, 1958, and he passed away Aug. 25, 2002. The two of them raised two daughters and a grandson. Donna was the typical housewife when her daughters were young. She enjoyed baking, gardening, hunting and fishing. After both her daughters were in school, Donna began utilizing her newfound time as a Girl Scout leader in the mid-60s. She enjoyed taking her troop of young energetic young ladies on many exploring trips and camping. She worked for many businesses in the Unity area. Donna took pride in organizing the annual public baked bean suppers for Pine Tree Camp. She truly enjoyed her time working at Unity Raceway. As time went on Donna and Dick had the opportunity to lease Unity Raceway for three years, and were able to develop a new family and many friends at the racetrack. In 2009, both Donna and Dick were inducted into Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame, which she took great pride in accepting.
Donna was predeceased by her parents; and a brother, Bertrand Lyons Jr. She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen and husband, George Mattingly, of Troy, and Denise Whitney of Unity; four grandchildren, Brian Whitney and wife, Hillary, of Burnham, Cheryl Mattingly and companion, David Wolfrom, of Winslow, William Mattingly of Troy, and Ronald Mattingly and wife, Bry-Ann Farris, of China, Maine; five great-grandchildren, Ayden and David Cooper, Dillon and Anna Whitney, and Mason Mattingly; two sisters, Christine Arnold and husband, Corbett “Sonny,” of Lincoln, and Margaret Babineau of Fort Fairfield; many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the intensive care unit staff at Inland Hospital, Waterville; Dr. Astrid Andreescu of CancerCare of Maine and her staff; and Dr. Gavin Ducker of Inland Family Care of Unity.
A celebration of Donna’s life will be 1-3 p.m. Saturday, June 1, with words of remembrance to begin 2 p.m. at Star in the West No. 85 Masonic Lodge, 327 Main St., Unity. Burial will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Pond Cemetery, Unity. Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity on one’s choice. Her online guest book may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com.
Donna Marie Whitney
