Donna Hammeren-Meader

WATERVILLE – Donna Hammeren-Meader, 76, of Waterville, passed away peacefully in her home on Feb. 2, 2025. Donna is the daughter of Ralph and Agnes Gray born on June 2, 1948, in Boston, Mass.

After graduating from Waterville Highschool, she went on to graduate from CMMC College of Nursing in 1969.

Donna started her career as a surgical nurse at CMMC and took a brief period away to start her family. Donna’s career took her to Thayer Hospital where she met the love of her life, Mervin C. Meader, and they married on Oct. 24, 1986. Later, Donna worked at Seton Hospital in Waterville and became experienced with substance abuse and psychiatric care working in both adult and adolescence programs. It was at Seton Hospital where she met her best friend, Joyce Clark, making many cherished memories going to nursing conferences around the world. Donna finished out her 47-year nursing career at Riverview Psychiatric Center retiring in 2016.

Donna’s greatest passion was her Dachshunds which began when she was a teenager and included Suzie, Honey, Kattee, Isabella, Mollee, and Pebbles. Donna was there for people when they needed her both in her professional career and personal life. She took people under her wing and was a straight shooter with advice. Anyone who met Donna quickly found themselves pulled into conversations and witnessed her sarcastic and matter of fact sense of humor. Donna was an avid reader of romance novels and loved going to the movies with her kids. She also had a love of crafting including crocheting, ceramics, sewing, and gardening. 

Donna was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Agnes Gray and husband, Mervin C. Meader.

She leaves behind her daughter, Heather Gaffney and husband Michael, her daughter, Jennifer Judd and husband Dennis; and grandkids, Connor, Amelia, and Tabitha. She is also survived by her bonus sons, Jason Bowles and Joel Hill and his wife, Erica and grandkids, Natalie and Asher. Donna also leaves behind her best friend, Joyce Clark; and beloved pets, Pebbles and Snow.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Aable Cremation Service. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.aablecremationservice.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to:

the Humane Society

Waterville Area

100 Webb Road

Waterville, ME 04901 or to:

a charity of your choice