Donna Marie Driscoll-Tarnoff
Donna Marie Driscoll-Tarnoff, of Osterville and formerly of Weston, died on May 27th at age 59. Beloved wife for over 31 years to Peter Tarnoff . Cherished mother of Nicholas Tarnoff and Alexander Tarnoff. Wonderful daughter to George T. Padula of Milton, MA. Predeceased by her mother Helene D. Padula and father, Robert F. Driscoll. Loving sister of Robert F. Driscoll of Medford, MA, George T. Padula Jr. of Westwood, MA and Elizabeth Padula Tourtelotte of Newton, MA. Caring aunt to seven nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in Dorchester, MA, Donna was a proud graduate of Girls Latin School, a 1973 graduate of Emmanuel College and a 1979 graduate of the Amos Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College. Fluent in Spanish, Donna spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras. As a business leader and marketing executive, Donna was most recently, Senior Vice President, Marketing at SunTrust Bank in Atlanta, GA. Previously she held executive positions in strategic marketing and brand management at HSBC Bermuda, John Hancock Financial Services, LoJack, AT&T Capital and Citi Group/Travelers Insurance. Donna loved the challenge that new opportunities brought her way and with a thoughtful style she was a valued mentor and colleague to many.
Remembering her roots, Donna very much enjoyed her board member work with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester and her role as a past chairperson of the New England Women’s Leadership Awards. Donna was also a past board of trustees’ member at HealthOne Systems. An inspiring women’s leader herself, she gave back her insights, time and talents to many young women.
Beyond measure, Donna loved being a mom to her two sons, Alexander and Nicholas, both of whom she was most proud. She shared with them her love of skiing and travel and at times, her love of chocolate. Together, Donna and her husband Peter took many family ski trips and she relished this sport that all could do together. Donna loved the salt air and the serenity of Cape Cod and in recent years, she had fun navigating her S.S. Donna dinghy to Sampson’s Island in West Bay, Osterville.
With her husband Peter, she enjoyed socializing and sailing with their many friends on the Cape and listening to live music frequently as she loved a good concert. With her fun-loving and adventurous spirit, Donna was always ready to host a family gathering or join in a hearty laugh with others. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends who knew her as a “tremendous person who got a lot done.”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday May 31st at 11am at St. Julia’s Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA. Visiting hours will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, Milton on Wednesday May 30th from 4 to 8pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701, or the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, c/o Maureen Peterson 1135 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester, MA 02125
Guestbook Entries
Dear Peter, Nicholas and Alexander,
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Donna was always wonderful to us and everyone around her. She will be sorely missed.
My husband and I will be praying for your family during this time of grief. We are so sorry that you have lost your wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and trust that God will comfort you as only He can during this time.
Donna was in my Peace Corps Group #26. She was a great person, when we were in our 20’s (!), always kind, caring and a good friend. I am so sorry for your loss.
Saludos from Honduras, Cookie Rocklin Izaguirre
Alex:
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Oatway Family
With abiding admiration, appreciation, and respect for Mrs. Tarnoff’s exceptional parenting and for the extraordinary gifts of her sons, Nick and Alex, to my life and the life of the Belmont Hill School, I send my heartfelt prayers that the celebration of her truly remarkable life may help fill the huge void of her physical separation from her family in this life, and may her family be comforted by the joyous responsibility of carrying on her inspiringly rich legacy for the betterment of all.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Donna’s untimely death. Donna’s leadership skills and vision in whatever job she took on will always be remembered.
I worked with Donna in Framingham MA at AT&T Capital. She was extremely talented individual and leader. My thoughts are with her family at this trying time.
Our deepest sympathies to the Tarnoff, Padula, and Driscoll Families from all of us at Salter Healthcare.
I had the honor of working for Donna at LoJack. Like so many, she taught me a lot about marketing and the realities of business. My thoughts are with you all.
Peter,
We are so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. Donna and I worked together back in her Roxy.com days.We had many great times together. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow and remembrance.
Sincerely,
Mike Jeans
Peter,
I am sad to hear of Donna’s passing. She touched my life and I will never forget her mentoring, friendship and joie de vie. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys during this time of sorrow.
Katherine
Dear Peter, Nicholas and Alexander,
I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Donna. When I spent my time with you many years ago she was a guide for me – I looked up to Donna with her powerful and humourous way of life.
My thoughts are with all of you – I will keep her in mind forever.