Donna G. Babits

Donna (Reed) Babits
October 7, 1954 - May 13, 2024
Donna (Reed) Babits, 69, passed away peacefully from natural causes on May 13, 2024. Born on October 7, 1954, in Attleboro, Massachusetts, Donna was the eldest daughter of Ernest Reed and Margaret (Kearns) Crane.
Donna graduated from Attleboro High School, and she married Ralph Babits on January 5, 1974. Their marriage spanned 27 years until Ralph's passing on August 1, 2001. Donna's devotion to Ralph was unwavering, and she cherished their time together, never considering dating anyone else after his passing.
Known for her wry sense of humor, Donna often surprised those around her with well-timed quips. Her emotional strength and readiness to help others, even in the face of her own challenges, defined her character.
Donna's commitment to fostering and nurturing children was remarkable. Alongside Ralph, she helped raise over 30 foster children, leveraging her social work studies at the Community College of Rhode Island and Rhode Island College. During a crisis in the Massachusetts foster care system in the 1970s and 1980s, Donna and Ralph provided a loving home for these children, embodying a profound sense of duty and compassionto others.
A fierce advocate for women's rights, Donna volunteered at women's shelters from the late 1980s until her final years. In the early-to-mid 2000s, she often took on night shifts, working on crisis intervention teams to rescue women and children from domestic violence. Donna's bravery and dedication to ensuring their safety were evident in the many stories she shared of confronting abusive individuals to protect the vulnerable.
Donna's commitment to others extended to numerous parent-student organizations, where she further supported the intellectual and social development of children and adolescents. She and Ralph were active members of the American Intercultural Student Exchange program, hosting 12 foreign exchange students. They were also involved in the Foster Parents Association, the Adoptive Parents Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange, and the Attleboro Music Parent's Association. Donna could always be found supporting her children at youth sporting events and in other extracurricular activities for school.
Donna is survived by five children: James and Chris Babits, Michelle Carpenter, Aimee Faverman, and Shannon Paquin. She is also survived by her sisters Deborah Cuneo and Cindy Gaumond; brothers Glenn, Roy, and Jeffrey; nieces Jennifer Cannon and Lindsey Martins; and three grandchildren, Colby Babits and Nathan and Alexis Carpenter. Donna's youngest sister, Karen, sadly passed away in 2010.
Donna's legacy of love, strength, and advocacy for women's rights will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.
A public viewing will be held on Monday, May 20, at Dyer-Lake Funeral Home (161 Commonwealth Ave, North Attleboro) from 9 to 11 am. Burial will follow at 11:30 am in St. Stephen's Cemetery in Attleboro.
For additional information or to send the family a written 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. (508) 695-0200