Donna E. Enberg

HOLDEN - Donna E. (Ahlstrom) Enberg,, 81, died gently on December 4, 2024 at the
Jewish Healthcare Center in Worcester, with her wife at her bedside. Sadly, her passing increased the rarity of natural redheads in the world. She was the daughter of the late Victor Ahlstrom and Elizabeth (Johnson) Ahlstrom who may have enjoyed her childhood accordion playing but, no doubt, did like her baton-twirling phase. Although living for a time in Idaho and Alaska, Donna was a New Englander. She was born and raised in Worcester and lived for many years in Holden. A graduate of Becker College, she took additional courses at Assumption University (both in Worcester). Early on, she brought her financial skills to several businesses, including Foster Associates in Holden, and began many years of volunteer work by serving as Treasurer for First Congregational Church (Holden) and their consignment-clothing store “The Corner Shop.” When not occupied by those endeavors, you could find her leading a Girl Scout troop and later helping the organization as a Service Team Chair.

For about twenty years, Donna served as Treasurer for what is now the Open and Affirming (ONA) Coalition of the United Church of Christ (UCC) and as ONA Program Assistant. Having energy to spare and a faith-grounded desire to serve others, she was Financial Secretary and Treasurer for United Congregational Church (UCC) in Worcester and Treasurer for the Worcester Area Mission Society (WAMS) from 1993-2017. Upon leaving her leadership roles, she was given an “emeritus” award for her ONA work, recognition of her “faithful and exemplary service” with WAMS, and a financial-wizard hat for years of crackerjack budgets and record keeping at United Congregational Church.

For many years, even on vacation in Maine, Donna took time to do financial work for her condo association. But she wasn’t “all work and no play.” She delighted in the morning newspaper, walks on the beach, all kinds of music - from church to Elvis, a good mystery story, and meals with family and friends. (Leftovers were scarce if she was served corn on the cob, chicken Marsala or lobster rolls!)

Donna loved and is survived by her partner of 44 years (the last 20 as her legal wife), the
Rev. Ann B. Day; children: Edie (Gary) Ryan; and Richard (Nicole) Enberg; and grandchildren: Nicole (Nick) Franchi, Alex Goodnough (partner, Ashley Miller), Connor, Preston and Kyle Enberg (partner, Michaela Davenport); brother-in-law, Paul B. Day, Jr., many dear cousins, good friends and respected colleagues. In addition to her love, her smile, signature eye roll, wit, and directness will be greatly missed.

Donna’s family is very grateful to the staff of The Branches of Marlboro, where Donna lived in Memory Care for almost two years and the Hospice team and staff of the Jewish Healthcare Center, where she lived during the last six weeks of her life. The care and affection extended by so many made the journey bearable. Blessings to all: staff, residents, night caregivers, volunteers and medical providers.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s memory may be made to: United Congregational Church or the Worcester Area Mission Society both at 6 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA 01609; the Open and Affirming Coalition - UCC, 1300 E. 9th St - Suite1100, Cleveland, OH 44114; or the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Memorial Calling Hours: 5-7 PM, January 10, 2025, Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden, MA. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM, January 11, United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Rd, Worcester, MA. Please see the following link for Donna Enberg's memorial service.

Topic: Memorial Service for Donna Enberg
Time: Jan 11, 2025 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87576231049

Meeting ID: 875 7623 1049

The family thanks Miles Funeral Home for their kind and professional assistance and United Congregational Church for their gracious support and hospitality.