Donna Beth Moskow died at her Newton home on February 13. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to all who knew her. Her beautiful smile, warm kindness and generous spirit will be deeply missed. She spent the past 50 summers in Chilmark and considered the Island her second home.

Born in Boston in 1933, Donna grew up in Brookline. She was the youngest daughter of the late Ethyl (Orlov) Melnick and Edward Melnick, and sister of the late Laurel Koufman.

She graduated from the College of William and Mary in Virginia in 1955 after attending Brookline High School. After college Donna was employed by the Walpole Public Schools as a first grade teacher. She met her future husband, Michael Moskow, on a blind date. He loved the way she danced with the young daughter of the mutual friends who set them up — so much so that he proposed marriage after only two weeks. In 1958 they married and shortly thereafter twin sons Ken and Keith were born. Donna left her teaching position in order to dedicate herself full time to her young family, which grew over the next decade with the additions of son Cliff and daughter Carla.

As an active and devoted mother, Donna was happily engaged with her children’s many activities and schools. In addition to this involvement, she was a board member of the Carrol School in Lincoln, the Boston Children’s Museum and the Chilmark Community Center. She also worked as the president of Newton Parent Teacher Association.

Her Martha’s Vineyard and Newton homes overflowed with dogs, cats, exotic birds, horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, ducks, chickens, and even a pet pig. Every summer she transported her children and all of her animals on the Steamship Authority’s open air ferries to the Vineyard from her Newton home with multiple trailers and lots of good humor and patience.

Donna lived her life with heart, compassion and grace. Her love of children extended readily to nephews, nieces, cousins and neighborhood children, and she always made everyone feel welcome and respected in her home. A lover of travel and people, Donna ventured to many corners of the globe with her family and was comfortable in many different environments.

In her free time, she enjoyed rescuing and nurturing all kinds of animals, playing with her grandchildren and spending time on the stretch of South Beach where Chilmark Pond meets the Atlantic Ocean. She was also an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of the arts on the Island and in Boston, where she and her husband had subscriptions to the Huntington Theater, The American Repertory Theater and the Boston Symphony Orchestra for over 50 years.

In addition to Michael, her beloved husband of 61 years, she continues to be loved by her children: Keith Moskow of Cohasset, Cliff Moskow of Carlisle, Carla Moskow of Malindi, Kenya and the late Kenneth Moskow of Concord; her 10 cherished grandchildren and dozens of extended relatives and friends.

The family asks that any remembrances or donations for her memory be made to the MSPCA/Angell.