Donna Whitten

WORCESTER – Donna Lee Whitten, 71, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus in Worcester, with friends and family by her side. She is survived by her husband, E. Kenneth Cassavant of Worcester; her brother, David A. Whitten of Worcester; her sister, Cynthia J. Robert and her husband George of Hollywood, FL; her father, Donald K. Strader of Oxford; her son-in-law, Neil Jariwala of Santa Monica, CA; her granddaughter, Grace Jariwala of Santa Monica, CA; her stepbrother, Richard D. Strader and his wife Donna of Webster; her father-in-law, Eugene G. Cassavant and his wife Phyllis of Shrewsbury; her brother-in-law, Keith Cassavant and his wife Debbie of Dorchester, NH; four stepsons, Richard Ciampi and his wife Renee of Holden, Frederick Ciampi and his wife Karen of Sarasota, FL, Eugene K. Cassavant Jr. of Worcester, and Jamie Cassavant of Mentor, OH; as well as several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her two children, Donald “Donnie” Tebo who died in 1981, and Heidi Thelen Jariwala who died in 2022

Donna was born in Northbridge, daughter of the late Malcolm E. Whitten and Thelma I. (Hubbard) Strader, and lived in Oxford and Venice, CA, before moving to Worcester many years ago. She graduated from Oxford High School in 1970.

Donna’s professional career was in the financial side of the medical industry in California and Massachusetts. She retired as a financial analyst for the pharmacy at UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus. Donna found joy in creating a beautiful home to share with her family and friends.

A private graveside service will be held at North Cemetery in Oxford. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a tree in her memory. Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.