Obituary : Donna L. Cavallo
Donna Lee Miller Cavallo, 58, died unexpectedly September 5 of natural causes. She was born in Bangor, Maine, on December 11, 1950 the third child of Warren and Wilma Miller.
Donna was raised with her five siblings in Orono, Maine. She graduated from Orono High School in 1969. Donna's class was a closely-knit group of friends who enjoyed their 40th reunion this past summer. After attending the University of Maine and Thomas College, she married Robert M. Cavallo and moved to Martha's Vineyard.
During her 30 years living on the Vineyard, Donna owned and operated with her husband the Barbershop and Uptown Delis. She established Workshops and Sons, a painting and contracting business, with her three boys, and later, the Down Town Deli.
Donna was active in the life of Martha's Vineyard, raising money for the Island Children's School and coaching youth hockey. She took courses from Rhode Island School of Design, which assisted her in other pursuits. Donna returned home to Maine in 2002. She lived in Skowhegan and Waldoboro, continuing to manage Workshops and Sons on the Vineyard and pursuing her many creative interests, including hand painting glasses, writing poetry, substitute teaching, knitting, gardening, playing the piano, photography and spending time with her family. Donna's favorite place was at the remote family camp where you might find her drinking coffee on the porch early in the morning or paddling in her kayak among the loons with Louise, her loyal yellow Lab, riding in the bow. Donna's home was filled with antiques and green plants, the scent of spaghetti sauce simmering in the kitchen, and pictures of her beloved sons. She enjoyed people and made friends wherever she went. She loved to laugh and tell stories. Becoming her friend meant having a loyal friend for life.
She is survived by her parents, Warren E. and Wilma Miller; children Lucas Cavallo of Edgartown, Jonas Cavallo and his companion, Anastasia Oliveira, of Edgartown, Amos Cavallo and his companion, Ismin Lata, of Pahrump, Nev.; sister Irene and her husband, Dennis Staples, of Orrington, Maine; brother Fred and wife, Nancy Miller, of Gray, Maine; sister Laurie Miller of Holden, Maine; sister Andrea and her husband, Peter Phelan, of Holden, Maine; brother Eddie and wife, Anne, of Pittsfield, and many loving nieces, nephews and two grandnieces. Donna will be fondly remembered by her family and many special friends.
Gifts in her memory may be sent to Martha's Vineyard Youth Hockey Program, MVYH, Attn. Trina Araujo, P.O. Box 2319, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Condolences to the family may be expressed at brookingssmith.com.
