Obituary of Donna L. Read

WEST SAND LAKE— NOVEMBER 18, 2022, was just another Friday until my beloved wife and soulmate collapsed and died as we began our daily walk. Born April 10, 1944, in Framingham, MA and a lifelong member of the Framingham Heart Study, Donna graduated from Framingham High School in 1962 and attended Boston College. She came to Albany in 1986 to join Ed Rasowsky, her future husband, to launch their fledgling advertising agency Read & Edwards which they operated successfully for over 25 years. Along the way she served as president of the board at Unity Church in Christianity in Albany and as a member of the board of the Albany YWCA. After retiring, Donna chose to enter the nursing profession, a goal she nurtured since childhood. As a result, at the age of 60 she became a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care RN and lovingly practiced her profession for over 10 years caring for patients at the Hospice Inn at St Peter’s Hospital. Donna was a quiet, thoughtful, and gentle soul, modest and humble to a fault. When friends would hear that she was accepted to an Ivy League College Donna would often cringe in embarrassment. When asked first impressions of her, those who knew her best would invariably begin by saying kind. And I would add bright and beautiful as well. She practiced spirituality, read novels in French, loved to dance and was probably the only hospice nurse around to have held a Top Secret government clearance. She is survived by her husband Ed Rasowsky of West Sand Lake, daughter Bonnie Combs of Blackstone, MA, a brother Richard Read of Framingham, MA. as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother and father Lester and Mildred Read also of Framingham. And now my sweet angel, soar. Soar again to that bright celestial light you once walked towards many years ago. As I await an eternal reunion. Cremation took place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc. A celebration of Donna’s life is planned for the spring of 2023 at a date and time to be announced. To leave a special message for Donna’s family visit SimpleChoicesCremation.com