Donna McGlame

It is with great sorrow and heartbreak that we announced the passing of Donna McGlame of Pembroke, Massachusetts on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, suddenly and unexpectedly. She was surrounded by her two beloved golden retrievers, Max and Molly, as she passed into a better place.

Donna was born in Boston, Massachusetts to James E. Carlin and Virginia M. O'Brien of Boston. Both of Donna’s parents predeceased her. She was the third of five children, the proverbial middle child.

Donna leaves behind her brother Dennis Carlin, and his wife Eithne (Broderick) Carlin of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and her sister Deborah Carlin and her husband Neil MacGillivray of Vermont. She is also survived by her sister in-law Jennifer (Baccioci) of Vermont).

She was predeceased by two of her brothers, Daniel Carlin of Massachusetts and Douglas D. Carlin of Vermont. Donna also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she adored and who adored her: Candace, John, Lillian, Hayley, Noah, Cam, Avery, Cat, Oliver, Ausha, Maya, Taya, Bailee, and Aliyah. She was also predeceased by two nephews, Keegan Carlin MacGillivray and Dennis D. Carlin, Jr., known as DJ. Donna had a very close relationship and special bond with DJ and spent much time with him before he passed.

Donna was also predeceased by her husband, Peter McGlame, and a very special longtime friend, Dennis McMorrow, with whom she shared her first love of golden retrievers. She leaves behind many friends and family. Her best friend, Cathy Torchetti Genovese of Marshfield, and the Torchetti family as a whole, were like a second family to her.

After leaving the Cape at just 16 years old, Donna moved to Boston and began what would be a long working relationship with the Jewish Rehabilitation Center. Donna worked hard to earn her GED, a business degree, and finally her nursing degree. She loved working at the Jewish Rehabilitation Center, especially with the older clients; she enjoyed them immensely and treated them as family. Donna continued to work at several different hospitals, as a floor nurse, a charge nurse, and eventually a nurse supervisor. Donna loved helping people!

After living in Boston, Donna moved to Weymouth, where she lived for many years. Later, she returned to the Cape and lived in her childhood home. Three years ago, Donna fulfilled her dream of purchasing a beautiful new house in Pembroke, Massachusetts. It was a huge house full of love and promise. This is where she lived until her final days.

In this life, Donna was many things: a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a best friend, a breast cancer survivor, a nurse, an animal lover, especially golden retrievers, and she was always rooting for the underdog!

We will love and miss you always and cherish the wonderful memories we shared with you until we meet again.

There will be calling hours on Sunday, November 1, 2026 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. with a brief blessing at 3:00 p.m. Come share in the joy that Donna brought to so many!

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in her honor to the American Cancer Society or to a local animal shelter or rescue.