[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 108 (Friday, June 24, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E672-E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF NANCY L. DONAHUE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LORI TRAHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 24, 2022

  Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today on her 92nd birthday to 
honor the tremendous contributions and legacy of Nancy Donahue, a 
passionate community leader who has led by example as an activist, arts 
enthusiast, humanitarian and philanthropist. She has dedicated her life 
to her family, to the tremendous success of the Whistler House Museum 
of Art, and to the prosperity of communities across the Merrimack 
Valley.
  Nancy was born in New Britain, Connecticut in 1930 to parents who 
instilled in her the importance of giving back to her community. When 
World War II broke out, Nancy was in junior high school. Seeing her 
parents volunteer to help families who needed support, she decided to 
join the Victory Farmettes where, alongside other young girls, she 
harvested crops on farms around her town. During high school, she was a 
Candy Striper at the hospital in her community.
  After graduating from Lasell University in 1950, Nancy accepted a job 
at IBM, where she was one of five women salespeople in the entire 
company. Although she had a full time job, Nancy found a way to 
continue serving her community and country during the time of the 
Korean War. She volunteered to work nights as an Air Patrol where she 
watched for enemy planes on top of Hancock Tower. While living in 
Boston, Nancy met the love of her life, Richard Donahue, and the pair 
were married in 1952. They would go on to have eleven children whom 
they raised to always remember where they came from and to give back to 
their community whenever possible.
  Over the span of her lifetime, Nancy can be credited with 
spearheading the cultural revitalization of the City of Lowell. One of 
the most notable contributions she has made to our

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community was being a founding member of the Merrimack Repertory 
Theatre. Throughout forty years, the Theatre has operated as a world 
class venue that has attracted famous artists from around the world. 
Due to her grit and determination, working class families in the 
community were introduced to the wonderful world of arts and 
humanities. To this day, the Merrimack Repertory Theatre continues to 
be a cornerstone for the performing arts throughout the Merrimack 
Valley.
  Nancy has lived an extraordinary life dedicated to service. Over the 
years, Nancy has given to countless local organizations and served on 
numerous boards that have positively impacted the Greater Lowell 
community. She was a longtime president of the Merrimack Repertory 
Theatre and chair of the Whistler House Museum of Art, and she has 
served and continues to serve on the boards of the New England Quilt 
Museum, the former Revolving and American Textile and History Museums, 
Lasell University, UMass Lowell, Enterprise Bank and so many more. She 
also played an integral role in the United Way of Mass Bay and 
Merrimack Valley, and the International Institute.
  Throughout her life, Nancy has remained steadfast in her dedication 
to giving back to our community. She has worked tirelessly to make 
Lowell a better place to live and work. Nancy's contributions to the 
arts and humanities in Lowell has made a lasting impact on the City and 
will continue to be felt for generations to come. Tonight, Nancy will 
be honored by the Whistler House for her lifetime of service, and 
celebrated as the model for all who are seeking to live a life 
dedicated to making the world a better place.
  Most importantly, Madam Speaker, Nancy is known for her love of her 
family and friends, the kindness she shows to those around her, her 
unbelievable humanitarianism and philanthropic work, and her immense 
pride in the Greater Lowell community. Her legacy is one that will 
prove unforgettable and everlasting in our City.

                          ____________________