Marlborough – On Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, Diane Donato, 69, died peacefully and gracefully, as only Lady Di could, at her home in Marlborough, which she shared with her roommate and longtime friend, David LeTellier. Her dear friends, Shirley, Cesar, Ann Marie, Kerry, and Lori were at her side.
Daughter of the late Leo P. and Catherine C. (Buckley) Donato, Diane graduated from N. Quincy High School, later attending Bay State College.
She had a diverse work history, beginning in 1962 as the Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Quincy High School, to the Division of Employment and Security to the State House as Administrative Assistant to three Massachusetts State Senators and then to the City of Boston as the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Engineer of Public Facilities. In 1980, she went to work for the Digital Corporation, where she remained until transitioning into the hospitality field. She then completed a program at the Travel Education Center in 1991 and was proud to receive training at the Disney Institute.
Diane was employed by a number of major hotels in the greater Boston area for over 20 years, including The Flatley Company, Starwood, Radisson, Hilton and Marriott chains. Her career, which began in operations, then moved into sales, first in Catering Sales then Rooms and eventually a Director of Sales position at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Woburn, with Prospera Hospitality. Due to illness, she retired in April 2012.
An avid reader, she enjoyed traveling, with Florida as a favorite vacation spot. She spent this past summer in Wells, Maine and shared many sunrise walks along the beach on Drake's Island with David.
She is survived by her aunts, Joan Mazzeo of Randolph and Mary Martorano of Abington, and many caring friends. She was also the sister of the late Therese Warren.
A time of visitation will be held Sunday, Feb. 24, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 3:00 p.m. at the Slattery Funeral Home, 40 Pleasant St., Marlborough. Burial will be private.
Donations may be made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 165 Cambridge St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114.
