Donna Payette

Donna Marie Payette, age 59, of Wesley Drive, died peacefully on Sunday, October 2, 2016,  at NVRH in St. Johnsbury with her family near her following a long battle with cancer.

Donna was born in Concord, VT, on October 25, 1956, daughter to the late Joseph Frank and Ernestine Barbara (Howland) Comeau.  She grew up in East Concord and has been in St. Johnsbury for over 40 years.  She was a homemaker, daycare worker and cook at the Center and Arlington Schools.  Donna went to night school to earn her Associate’s Degree and began working at the St. Johnsbury School as a para-educator where she helped many children and special need students also.  Donna seemed to work wonders with even the most difficult children, and she loved it. Donna enjoyed taking walks in the woods for wild plants, flowers and edibles and researched her family’s ancestry to the best of anyone’s ability, but her greatest happiness came from her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her three children: Angela Carpenter Cummings (John Hurd) of Chester, VT, Corinne Payette-Raftery (Erik Raftery) of Boston, MA, Lukas Payette (Lynsi Degree) of Burlington, eight siblings: Gene Comeau of Lunenburg, Patricia Parks of Lyndonville, Wayne Comeau  (Pamela) of Lyndonville, Lucien Comeau (Melody Twombley) of Lyndonville, Gloria Gammell of Lyndonville, Linda Brown of St. Johnsbury, Barbara Grant (David Adamuska) of Lisbon, NH, Robin Larocque (Scott) of Lyndonville, three grandchildren: Kassidy, Kameron & Kimberly and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was pre-deceased by two brothers: Francis and David Comeau.

Funeral Services will be held at 10AM on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at the Grace United Methodist Church in St. Johnsbury with Rev. Kirk Thompson officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Riverside Cemetery in S. Lunenburg, VT.

Friends are invited back to Grace United Church at 12:30 for a reception with the family to share stories and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Donna’s name to either the Grace United Methodist Church, 36 Central Street, St. Johnsbury or to the St. Johnsbury School, 257 Western Ave, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com