“Nana” Donna Lee Stewart Thompson of North Woodstock, NH, born in Milo, ME on February 26, 1946, died at her home on October 10, 2026, according to her wishes with her husband, David, by her side.

Educated early on in Maine, her family moved to Lincoln where her father, Roger Stewart, was the Principal of Lincoln High School for many years. Claiming to have the BEST childhood, she spent summers camping and visiting her grandparents’ farm in Sebec, Maine. Later, she camped at Lafayette Campground as her parents were summer caretakers. Donna graduated from the first class of the new Lin-Wood High School in 1964 and went on to graduate from Farmington State College in 1968 where she earned her teaching degree. Her career spanned 30 years and was one of her greatest highlights, beginning in Meredith. Then, after she had her girls, she took some time off to be a stay-at-home mom. She started teaching again at Lin-Wood School and retired from being there after 28 years. By our calculations, Donna impacted the lives of hundreds of children in her career as an educator. After retiring, she was one of the founding members of the Lin-Wood Alumni Association, an active member of the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society, and a proud, blessed congregate of the Church of Messiah.

Of all Donna’s accomplishments, she was most proud of David, her daughters Amy and Jolene, and, mostly, the light of her life, her grandsons Beyden and Camden Stratton. She told her daughters she had zero regrets about her wonderful life; how lucky we are to have been part of hers. Her favorite things, besides her family, were camping and hosting fires, even in their yard. She would post an open invitation to the universe on her social media account very simply stating, “Fire at the Thompson’s, til 8ish;” their Airstream allowed them to be home anywhere they traveled. Donna also loved the annual tradition of meeting up with her closest college besties.

Like many couples who have been married 56 years or together for 66 as high school sweethearts, Donna and David differ in their accounts on certain things from their past together. The first being where they met. David always believed he just knew her. Donna, however, specifically remembers meeting him at her best friend Betty’s birthday party. Further, David had zero recollection about their first kiss. Yet Donna liked to tell the story that David was on his bike following the Fourth of July fireworks, and he asked her if she needed a ride home. She climbed aboard the back of his bicycle, and, allegedly, the kiss occurred somewhere between the old airport and her house.

She retired from teaching at Lin-Wood 20 years ago and spent as much time with her grandsons as possible. She attended countless soccer and baseball games even in college. She shared her love of camping and the outdoors with them as little boys– and even as they grew into young men of their own. She was especially grateful for the love and care shown by her caregivers, especially family, in addition to North Country Home, Health, and Hospice.

Donna is predeceased by her parents Roger and Edwina Stewart. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, David; her daughter Amy Hartle and son-in law Larry; her daughter Jolene Stratton and son-in law Jeb; her brother Glenn Stewart and wife Diane; her niece Samantha Stewart and nephew Jeremy Stewart; and, lastly, her grandson Beyden Stratton and fiancé Olivia Paradis, and grandson Camden Stratton.

Calling hours will be at Church of the Messiah N. Woodstock on Oct. 20th from 5-7; a funeral Service on Oct. 21st at 11am also at the Church of Messiah with the burial at Riverside cemetery on Oct. 22nd at 9am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Donna’s memory to the Church of the Messiah (PO Box 267 North Woodstock 03262), the Upper Pemigewasset Historical Society (PO Box 863 Lincoln, NH 03251) or North Country Home, Health & Hospice (536 Cottage St. Littleton, NH 03561).