Donna (Melnick) Moskow

Donna Beth Moskow, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all who knew her, died peacefully at her Newton home on February 13, 2019 after a courageous battle with Lewy Body disease. Her beautiful smile, warm kindness and generous spirit will be deeply missed.

Donna was born on June 24, 1933 in Boston, MA. She grew up in Brookline, MA as the youngest daughter of the late Ethyle (Orlov) Melnick and Edward Melnick. Her older sister, Laurel Koufman, predeceased her in 2010. She attended Brookline High School ‘51 before graduating from the College of William and Mary in Virginia '55. After college she worked as a first grade teacher in the Walpole Public School system when she met Michael Moskow, who proposed two weeks after meeting her on a blind date arranged by mutual friends. They married in 1958 after a brief engagement and Donna soon dedicated herself to raising their energetic twins, Ken and Keith, followed several years later by son Cliff and daughter Carla.

As an engaged mother, Donna was actively involved in her children’s schools and their many activities. She served as the head of Newton Parent Teacher Association, and was a Board member of the Chilmark Community Center, the Carrol School in Lincoln MA, and the Boston Children’s Museum. Over the years, Donna’s homes in Newton and Martha’s Vineyard were filled with dogs (of every variety imaginable), cats and birds (including giant macaws). Outside the home Donna had horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, and even a pet pig. Every summer Donna and Michael transported their children and all of her animals on the ferry to the Vineyard from Newton with multiple trailers, open air ferries, and lots of patience and good humor.

Donna lived her life with heart, compassion and grace. Her love of children extended readily to nephews, nieces, cousins and neighborhood children, and she always made everyone feel welcome and respected in her home. A lover of travel and people, Donna ventured to many corners of the globe with her family and was comfortable in many different environments.

At home, she often spent her time playing with her grandchildren, caring for and rescuing animals, and riding her horse on her beloved Martha’s Vineyard. When in Boston, Donna and Michael had seats at the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 50 years and loved attending the American Repertory and Huntington Theater.

In addition to Michael, her devoted husband of 61 years, she is survived by her loving children: Keith Moskow of Cohasset, MA, Cliff Moskow of Carlisle, MA, Carla Moskow of Malindi, Kenya; her ten cherished grandchildren: Zachary, Jacob, Nicholas, William, Samantha, Charlie, Michaela, Andrew, Jack and Ava; and numerous extended relatives and countless friends. Donna was predeceased by her son, Kenneth Moskow, formerly of Concord, MA

Services for Donna will be held at 12pm on Monday, February 18, 2019 in the Chapel at the Sharon Memorial Park, 40 Dedham St., Sharon.

On Tuesday from 2-4pm and Wednesday from 6-8pm, the family will receive visitors at the Moskow home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to MSPCA-Angell, Attn: Donations, 350 South Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02130 www.mspca.org/donate-now