Life Story of Donna Dumont Silva
February 28, 2021
Donna was an amazing woman. She cared deeply for everyone in her family and in the world. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was very patriotic and often could be found wearing American flag socks, shirts and earrings. She loved the 4th of July and fireworks so much. She would start most days making calls checking on those she loved. Then she would call back later for those who had special events or just needed extra love and support. She was our biggest cheerleader. She loved surprises and you never knew who was going to be surprised next. She was a very generous person who was always willing to lend a helping hand. It was extremely hard to take her out to eat and pay. Even if you did get to pay, you were likely to find some cash later hidden for you. She loved the New England Patriots and College football as well. She never met a stranger in an elevator, plane, standing in line or at the slot machines. She would take the time to get to know someone when most would not even ask. She had such an inquisitive mind and liked games and shows that challenged her mind. She was incredibly lucky when gambling and loved to sit and play the machines. She just seemed to have luck in her bones. She always thanked her mother for her luck. Everyone deeply misses the phone calls from her. She always made you feel so important and loved. There are so many wonderful things to say about her and the person she was to all of us.
Donna Lee Dumont was born on March 23, 1946, in Providence, Rhode Island. She grew up "on the square" in Riverside, attended East Providence Senior High School and worked at Riverside Cleansers - where she met her first husband, Russell Cole. Donna and Russ were married on September 16, 1966 and had two children - a daughter, Terri Lee, and a son, Shatz. Donna was an amazing mother. She spent countless hours helping her children with schoolwork (and studying for spelling bees), serving on the PTA, chaperoning school field trips, driving them to band and sporting events and putting her whole heart into building a strong, supportive and loving foundation for them. She a was loving and compassionate mother, and her children never had any doubt that they were the center of their Mom's universe (as she was theirs). Donna was an amazing mother and is so deeply missed.
She then married Ron Silva on July 12, 1996, in Riverside, Rhode Island. She loved Ron very much and was a devoted wife. She did all she could to make their world together great and cherished their time spent traveling across the country. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Women's Auxiliary for Marine Corps League Detachment #757 in Lake Havasu City, AZ. She especially enjoyed volunteer activities centered around the league's Toys For Tots initiatives.
Her father, John "Curt" Curtis Dumont, was born on November 11, 1919, in Providence, Rhode Island. Her mother, Irene Elizabeth Arruda, was born on July 28, 1921, in Providence, Rhode Island. They were married on November 23, 1940 and had four children. It was often said that Irene's favorite hobby was "taking care of Curt". Curt enjoyed playing the organ, and Donna loved to listen to him play "Daddy's Little Girl", but Irene and Curt's favorite song was "It Had To Be You". The Dumonts loved to travel - in the early days they had a "pop-up" camper, but in the later years they traveled in style towing an Airstream trailer behind their blue and white Suburban - as such, Donna and her siblings were fortunate enough to visit national parks and scenic wonders across the US.
Donna was very close with her parents and she was heartbroken over her mother's unexpected passing on October 9, 1996, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, at the age of 75 - just a few months after travelling back to RI to attend Donna and Ron's wedding. The family purchased a bench - on the beach facing Thompson Bay at Rotary Park in Lake Havasu - in Irene's honor.
After her Mom's passing Donna took more frequent trips to Havasu to visit her father. When Ron retired, he and Donna became snow birds staying with Curt in Havasu during the winter months. Donna took care of her father when he fell ill shortly before passing on April 6, 2010, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona - he was 90. Donna had her father's name added to her mother's bench and would sit on the bench, look out across the water and visit with them from time to time. In 2012, Donna and Ron decided to make the move to Havasu permanent - and she spent her final years living in the house her parents' had built in Lake Havasu back in 1986. Donna passed away suddenly on March 9, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 73.
Her sister, Bette Irene Dumont was born on January 17, 1942, in Rhode Island. She is the last surviving sibling.
Her brother, John "Jackie" Curtis Dumont was born on October 26, 1948, in Providence, Rhode Island. He married Kathryn Elizabeth Doyle on May 1, 1971 and they had a son, Brian, in 1976. John died on May 18, 2020, in his hometown at the age of 71. Donna and John were very close, even as kids, given that they were the middle children and only two years apart in age. His wife, Kathy, and Donna were best friends and spoke to each other every day.
Her youngest brother, Robert "Bobby" Earl Dumont, was born on September 4, 1952, in Providence, Rhode Island. He lived a colorful life and had many friends. He died on October 6, 2020, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, at the age of 68.
Donna had many grandchildren, some from her children, some from stepchildren and some from their marriages. She treated all of them as her own and did all she could over the years to show each of them how much they meant to her. Whether it be cookie days, watching movies, creating special one on one moments or just calling to check on them. She did an excellent job and all knew they were loved.
Words cannot capture the beautiful soul that we were lucky enough to have in our lives. She was a guardian angel on earth. We were beyond blessed to be the lucky ones to have enjoyed the many years we spent with her. There are no words to express the magnitude of loss the family is facing now.
“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.”
—Leo Buscaglia
Donna Lee Dumont was born on March 23, 1946, in Providence, Rhode Island. She grew up "on the square" in Riverside, attended East Providence Senior High School and worked at Riverside Cleansers - where she met her first husband, Russell Cole. Donna and Russ were married on September 16, 1966 and had two children - a daughter, Terri Lee, and a son, Shatz. Donna was an amazing mother. She spent countless hours helping her children with schoolwork (and studying for spelling bees), serving on the PTA, chaperoning school field trips, driving them to band and sporting events and putting her whole heart into building a strong, supportive and loving foundation for them. She a was loving and compassionate mother, and her children never had any doubt that they were the center of their Mom's universe (as she was theirs). Donna was an amazing mother and is so deeply missed.
She then married Ron Silva on July 12, 1996, in Riverside, Rhode Island. She loved Ron very much and was a devoted wife. She did all she could to make their world together great and cherished their time spent traveling across the country. She also enjoyed volunteering with the Women's Auxiliary for Marine Corps League Detachment #757 in Lake Havasu City, AZ. She especially enjoyed volunteer activities centered around the league's Toys For Tots initiatives.
Her father, John "Curt" Curtis Dumont, was born on November 11, 1919, in Providence, Rhode Island. Her mother, Irene Elizabeth Arruda, was born on July 28, 1921, in Providence, Rhode Island. They were married on November 23, 1940 and had four children. It was often said that Irene's favorite hobby was "taking care of Curt". Curt enjoyed playing the organ, and Donna loved to listen to him play "Daddy's Little Girl", but Irene and Curt's favorite song was "It Had To Be You". The Dumonts loved to travel - in the early days they had a "pop-up" camper, but in the later years they traveled in style towing an Airstream trailer behind their blue and white Suburban - as such, Donna and her siblings were fortunate enough to visit national parks and scenic wonders across the US.
Donna was very close with her parents and she was heartbroken over her mother's unexpected passing on October 9, 1996, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, at the age of 75 - just a few months after travelling back to RI to attend Donna and Ron's wedding. The family purchased a bench - on the beach facing Thompson Bay at Rotary Park in Lake Havasu - in Irene's honor.
After her Mom's passing Donna took more frequent trips to Havasu to visit her father. When Ron retired, he and Donna became snow birds staying with Curt in Havasu during the winter months. Donna took care of her father when he fell ill shortly before passing on April 6, 2010, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona - he was 90. Donna had her father's name added to her mother's bench and would sit on the bench, look out across the water and visit with them from time to time. In 2012, Donna and Ron decided to make the move to Havasu permanent - and she spent her final years living in the house her parents' had built in Lake Havasu back in 1986. Donna passed away suddenly on March 9, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 73.
Her sister, Bette Irene Dumont was born on January 17, 1942, in Rhode Island. She is the last surviving sibling.
Her brother, John "Jackie" Curtis Dumont was born on October 26, 1948, in Providence, Rhode Island. He married Kathryn Elizabeth Doyle on May 1, 1971 and they had a son, Brian, in 1976. John died on May 18, 2020, in his hometown at the age of 71. Donna and John were very close, even as kids, given that they were the middle children and only two years apart in age. His wife, Kathy, and Donna were best friends and spoke to each other every day.
Her youngest brother, Robert "Bobby" Earl Dumont, was born on September 4, 1952, in Providence, Rhode Island. He lived a colorful life and had many friends. He died on October 6, 2020, in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, at the age of 68.
Donna had many grandchildren, some from her children, some from stepchildren and some from their marriages. She treated all of them as her own and did all she could over the years to show each of them how much they meant to her. Whether it be cookie days, watching movies, creating special one on one moments or just calling to check on them. She did an excellent job and all knew they were loved.
Words cannot capture the beautiful soul that we were lucky enough to have in our lives. She was a guardian angel on earth. We were beyond blessed to be the lucky ones to have enjoyed the many years we spent with her. There are no words to express the magnitude of loss the family is facing now.
“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.”
—Leo Buscaglia