Donna Wilkinson
Donna Wilkinson, of East Providence, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the age of 64. Donna was born to Helen Mowry and the late Reginald “Reggie” Mowry Jr., the first of their four children and beloved only daughter. She was a 1976 graduate of Seekonk High School, and went on to study at Johnson & Wales. Donna worked in insurance for the entirety of her career, and was an employee of Cross Insurance in East Providence before her passing. She also volunteered as an usher at the Providence Performing Arts Center for many years.
As a devoted member of Seekonk Congregational Church since childhood, Donna volunteered as a church deacon, usher, and coffee hour host, among other roles. Some of her family’s favorite memories of her involve the mornings after church let out, when they’d play cards with Donna at her parents’ kitchen table on Alta Street, her keys in the fridge next to the milk so she wouldn’t forget where she put them. Though she didn’t have children of her own, Donna’s nieces and nephews were her pride and joy. She never missed an opportunity to remind them of how important they were to her, sitting in the stands of every single graduation, soccer game, dance recital, and school event, cheering them on. She delighted in mailing out a card for every important occasion in her loved ones’ lives, and was always the first on everyone’s list to send out her annual Christmas cards, a tradition her niece, Lindsey, intends to carry on. Her family will remember her for her big heart, quick wit, and a perpetual smile that could light up any room.
In addition to her mother, Helen Mowry, Donna leaves her husband, Ronald Wilkinson, three brothers: Richard Mowry and Martha Holland of Richmond, Ronald Mowry and his wife Lori of Coventry, and Thomas Mowry and his wife Lynn of Seekonk. She also leaves twelve nieces and nephews: Matthew, Adam, Lindsey, Ryan, Katelyn, Elizabeth, Christina, Nicole, Henry, Rachel, Jason, and Emily as well as eleven great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Reginald “Reggie” Mowry Jr. Services will be held privately for immediate family.
