Donna Davey of Oak Bluffs died at her home on June 3, 2020. She was 61.

She was born in Hartford, Conn. on August 30, 1957. She was the youngest daughter of the late Bertha Weksner Fennelly and William Davey of Wethersfield, Conn.

As a child, she spent many summers at Soundview Beach in Old Lyme, Conn. and could be found on Hartford avenue with her friends and cousins, eating fried dough and lemon ice, two of her favorites, while listening to live music.

Donna vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard and fell in love with the Island. She relocated there and worked at Linda Jean’s for many years. One night, she went dancing and met the love of her life, R. Scott Graupner, who became her partner for 30 years.

She graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1975 and then from Bridgewater State College in 2001 with honors and a bachelor of science degree in social work. She was accepted to the Boston University School of Social Work and received her master’s degree in 2002.

From 2001 to 2004, she worked at Vineyard House as a case manager and clinical supervisor and at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services as a clinician. She also brought a message of hope and recovery to those incarcerated at the Dukes County House of Correction. In 2004, following her work at Community Services, she was licensed as a clinical social worker and entered private practice.

She helped countless Islanders in their struggles to obtain and maintain sobriety and become productive members of the Island community. She had an inviting smile and an uncanny ability to immediately connect with others. The Vineyard community loved Donna.

She was kind, compassionate, non-judgmental, funny, positive and spirited. She loved animals, especially dogs, and for many years, she owned German shorthaired pointers. She enjoyed nature, the outdoors, music, reading, collecting and traveling. She and Scott spent many weeks in Maine at the cottage they had built. She also spent time in Naples, Fla. and traveled to China, Greece, Italy and Africa.

She is survived by her stepbrother, Robert Fennelly of Wethersfield, Conn., 22 cousins, many friends and her beloved German shorthaired pointer, Ruby.

She was predeceased by her partner, R. Scott Graupner, her parents and her sister Lynn Davey of New Britain, Conn. She was also predeceased by her loyal pointers Baron, Uno, Wynston and Myles.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Sailing Camp in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, August 29 from 4 to 6 p.m. Please bring a mask, a photograph if you have one, and a story or two to share.

Donations can be sent to Sandy Paws Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 410, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or Vineyard House Inc., P.O. Box 4599, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.