Donna (Hieftje) Tillotson

Donna Ann Hieftje Tillotson - b. February 7, 1933 -  d. December 30, 2022

Donna Ann Tillotson (nee Hieftje) passed away quietly in her sleep on Friday December 30th in Cambridge Massachusetts.  Originally from Torrington Connecticut, Ms. Hieftje moved to Massachusetts in 1951 to attend Wellesley College where she met her husband, Theodore Loren (Ted) Tillotson. Ted and Donna raised their three children in Belmont, MA.

Donna took great joy in serving her Church: All Saint’s Church, Belmont, St. Paul’s Church on Nantucket and most recently at Christ Church in Cambridge; she selflessly gave of her time and resources, both serving the ministries and singing in the Choirs.  

Donna focused her talents and energy throughout her life on giving to her community. Starting as a “Candy-Striper” at Mount Auburn Hospital, serving multiple roles on various boards and organizations, and culminating in her lifelong commitment to the Wellesley Class of 1954, Donna made a measurable impact at every turn.  Donna never took a break from planning the next Wellesley College reunion.  She reveled in her life-long relationships with her classmates, sharing their stories freely throughout her life.  Some of her happiest moments came from chance meetings with Wellesley graduates in her day-to-day life.

A passionate cook and consummate hostess, the table at Donna and Ted’s home was the site of countless delicious feasts replete with fascinating conversation and lots of laughter shared among friends new and old. At Donna’s house there was always room at the table.  

When their nest became “empty” in the mid-80’s Donna and Ted relocated to Nantucket where Ted opened a private law practice.  Donna instantly threw herself into the local community, singing in the choir at St. Paul’s Church, volunteering on Daffodil Weekend activities and planting countless bulbs around the island.  As President of the Artist’s Association of Nantucket Donna led the successful charge to enhance the school and build an art gallery.  Beach going, tennis, clamming and fishing, daffodil weekends, “Wet Paint” art events and shared family vacations were opportunities for the families to visit Donna and Ted on the island. 

After Ted passed, Donna moved back to Cambridge to be closer to her children, ultimately living across the street from her daughters and steps from where she first lived with Ted when newly married.  Fiercely independent, Donna continued to volunteer at Christ Church and had been recently planning her upcoming college reunion, in 2024 (You can never get started too early.)

Private burial and service for immediate family. A celebration of life will be held in the Spring during daffodil season. 

Donna was pre-deceased by her husband. She is survived by her three children and five grandchildren. Myra and Richard von Turkovich of Cambridge MA., Nick von Turkovich and Dr. Claire Morton of New Haven C., Bonnie and Geof Tillotson of Ayer MA., Ian Tillotson of Watertown MA., Eric Tillotson of Somerville MA., Amy Tillotson of Cambridge MA., Jennifer and Jeff Hubler of Stagecoach, CO., Julia and Cory Gallagher of Washington, DC.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to support Mt. Auburn Hospital, Thursday Morning Talks at: www.thursdaymorningtalks.org. Or go out and plant some bulbs.

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