Donna Phyllis (Hawes) Girard, 74, of Jay, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her loving family on Oct. 3, 2008 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center following a brief illness.

She was born July 5, 1934 in Canaan, VT., the daughter of Herbert and Olivia Hawes.  Donna married Charles Girard on Feb. 14, 1959.  She raised four children and was employed by Columbia Forest Products in Newport for many years.  Her family was always Donna's formost priority.  She was the "rock" of her family, and worked very hard to keep everyone happy and safe.

Survivors include her husband; Charles Girard of Jay; two sons, Rudy Hawes and his wife Donna of Rutland, and Scott Girard and his wife Debbie of Jay; two daughters, Olivia Dorais and her husband Claude of Que, Canada, and Heidi Libby and her husband Hadden of Marlow, NH; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Sandra Hogaboom of St. Albans; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by two sisters; Joyce Wheeler and Mary Valente.

There will be no calling hours.  A potluck luncheon was held at a celebration of Donna's life on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Westfield Community Center in Westfield, VT.