Donna Jean Arruda

Donna Jean (Ostiguy) Arruda, 66, of Franklin, MA, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 7, 2017 with her family at her side and after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard Charles Arruda, Jr., to whom she was married on August 26, 1983, and who died on September 26, 2009.Born on August 20, 1951 in Providence, RI, she was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Celestine (Russell) Ostiguy.A graduate of Seekonk High School, Class of 1969, she received her Bachelor's degree from Rhode Island College in 1973 and her Master's degree from Lesley University in 1991. Donna enjoyed work as a Special Needs Teacher for the Town of Norton for over thirty-two years before retiring in 2011. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church in Franklin, and previously at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Seekonk, MA.A kind, caring, and patient woman with a loving spirit, she was a Coach for the Special Olympics, began the Best Buddies program in two highs schools, and was a member of the Linsey Woolsey Quilt Guild of Attleboro, MA. More than anything, Donna cherished spending time with her children and grandchildren, and held a special place in her heart for her dog, "Bowen", and for her daughter's dogs, "Bishop" and "Arrieta".She was the loving mother of Jared J. Emond of Needham, MA, and Brittany J. Anderberg of Franklin, MA; and the step-mother of Cristina P. Corbeil of Attleboro, MA; Richard C. Arruda III of Rehoboth, MA; Gilbert Charles Arruda of St. Augustine, FL; and Michael J. Arruda of Germany. She was the adoring grandmother of ten grandchildren, and the dear sister of Kenneth R. Ostiguy of Rumford, RI, and the late Richard J. Ostiguy. Donna leaves her niece, Julie Fornuto of Coventry, RI, and her nephew, Ryan Ostiguy of Media, PA.Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Donna by gathering for a Memorial Visitation on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. at Dyer-Lake Funeral Home.Burial services will be privately held at a later date.A Children's Room is available during the visitation and funeral service.Those in need of transportation to visitation may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for complimentary local transportationIn lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Donna to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02884, or at www.dana-farber.org/gift.For additional information or to send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro, MA 02760. (508) 695-0200.