Donna Marie Bonaccorsi

Donna Marie (Poland) Bonaccorsi, 69, of Medford, passed away peacefully in Boston on June 22, with her family by her side, after a long illness following an unexpected complication from a medical procedure last year. Her loved ones are heartbroken by her loss, but grateful she is finally at peace.

Donna was a force of nature. She was fierce and kind, fiery and thoughtful, strong and loving. She cared deeply—about her family, her friends, and the world. She donated to every charity and would have given her last dollar to someone she thought needed it more than her. She didn’t do it for credit or attention–she just wanted to help. Her generosity made things better in a million small and quiet ways, and her spirit will live on in the many acts of kindness she carried out throughout her life.

She leaves behind her loving husband Fred and her two sons, Nicholas (Heather) and Matthew (Patrick). She absolutely adored, adored, adored her grandson Connor—and had been looking forward to making many more memories with him in her upcoming retirement. Donna led by example, teaching her family to be resilient, resourceful, hardworking, and opinionated. Her decency, determination, and deep sense of right and wrong left an indelible mark on everyone who knew and loved her.

Donna Marie Poland was born on Friday, March 30, 1956, in Quincy, Massachusetts. The oldest of six, she became a caregiver early on when her mother tragically passed away at a young age. She stepped up to help raise her siblings, looking out for them before herself and always making sure everyone was taken care of.

She met Freddy in 1989. They both worked at BJ’s Wholesale Club in Medford—it was love at first sight in the frozen foods section. She later worked as a florist before she and Fred launched and grew a successful property management business that oversaw hundreds of units across Greater Boston. They bought a home, raised a family, and made many wonderful memories together.

She loved the beach, especially on many trips to Maine. She loved her walks by the Mystic River and taking care of her beautiful backyard garden. Fred did most of the cooking (we used to joke that she could burn a pot of water). But she was his sous chef and did all the prep work, because she had no greater joy than getting everyone around the table to eat, talk, and spend quality time together. She loved her ghost hunter reality TV shows, sitting on her porch in the rain, and spending quiet Sundays with Fred watching the Patriots. She loved her pets like family: Lady, Potter, Princess, Blackie, Beanzie, and her grandpups, Tuukka and Vince. She treated them like people, and in return they gave her endless love.

Donna’s unexpected loss leaves behind a long list of people across the country who miss her already. Her siblings Cheryl Holland, Tracy (Rich) Maynard, Linda Calabro, Doreen Jordan, and Donald Holland; her sister-in-law Nancy (James) Juliano; and her nieces and nephews Jessica, Ashley, Lindsey, Shawn, Jenna, Brian, Jomei, Crystal, David Michael, James Jr., and Michael. She loved her cousins and was especially close with Stephen (Bill) McGee. Donna connected with people everywhere she went, and she will be dearly missed by many lifelong friends who stuck by her side through thick and thin. She somehow remembered everyone’s birthday, and often called or texted just to say hello and check in.

She was preceded in death by her beloved mother Carol; her grandparents, Freeman and Margaret Clifford; and Fred’s parents, Alfred and Libera Bonaccorsi, with whom she shared a special bond.

Donna wore many hats: wife, mom, sister, auntie, nana, friend, neighbor, entrepreneur, advocate, florist, painter, animal lover, and proud hippie. She collected enough crystals, incense, and essential oils to keep everyone’s energy aligned for the next several decades. She prayed for world peace and stood up for the causes she believed in. She marched to the beat of her own drum. She was quick to laugh and full of opinions. If she believed in something, she said so and stood her ground. That’s why we loved her.

One of her favorite songs was “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys—it was her ringtone. She liked it because she thought it felt like her, and she wasn’t wrong. The spark she carried lit up all our lives, and her flame will burn brightly in our hearts until we meet again.

Family and friends are kindly invited to gather and spend time with the family on July 1, 2025 from 5 to 8pm at Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (Route 28) in Stoneham. Parking attendants and elevator are available.

Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home on July 2, 2025 at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Church, 118 High Street, Medford at 10:00am. Interment to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, where Donna was a longtime supporter.

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome