Donna Grant Canavan

It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister and aunt, Donna Grant Canavan, who died on June 12, 2023 in Raleigh, NC. Donna fought a lengthy and always courageous battle against Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis (sIBM) after a 2005 diagnosis.

She was born on September 28, 1951, in Rockville Center, NY. Donna spent most of her upbringing in Hicksville, NY with her mom, Mildred Hoffman Grant, her dad, Joseph Francis Grant, Sr., and her two brothers, Joseph F. Grant, Jr., and Richard E. Grant. Donna’s family lived in Naples, Italy, for two-and-a-half years, from 1959-1961, where her father was stationed during a career in the United States Coast Guard. They returned to Hicksville, where Donna graduated from Hicksville High School in 1969. She earned her B.S. from SUNY New Paltz in 1973 while acquiring several lifelong friends from her sorority. Later, she obtained an M.S. from UAlbany.

Her career in Education began in the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk School District, first as an elementary school teacher for six years and then as an elementary principal. She later became principal of Voorheesville Elementary School and worked closely with Principal Peter Griffin.

Donna married Martin John Canavan on October 12, 1985, in Clifton Park, NY. She resigned from her principal’s position in Voorheesville in 1988 to welcome their only child, Matthew Grant Canavan, on November 28, 1988. She returned to the classroom in 1989 at the Division Street School in Saratoga Springs, NY, where they lived, and she retired in 2008. Donna loved and cherished each child that she taught through the years. They brought her such joy!

Donna adored her family. Marty and Matthew and her family were the loves of her life. Her favorite times were those spent with them. Christmas time with everyone present was the ultimate! She always said that after everyone arrived, she wanted to lock the doors so no one could leave! Watching nieces Allison, Kate, Alexis, Jenna, and nephew Ricky grow up and later have their own families warmed her heart. In addition, she had reciprocal loving relationships with her sisters-in-law, Glenna Grant, late Jean Grant, and Mary Lou Anatriello. In the months before she passed, it brought her such happiness to spend time with her daughter-in-law Cara and new grandchild, Kellan.

Donna and Marty always enjoyed traveling, including six months in London with Matt when Marty brought students from Skidmore College for a semester abroad. Especially recalled is a sojourn in Normandy, a trip to China in 2011 (a dream of Donna’s), a visit to the dinosaur museum in Montana, and several cross-country treks in the Honda Odyssey. After retirement, they loved wintering in San Diego/Coronado, including treasured times with California relatives and friends, and later staying warm at The Villages in Florida.

Donna was so proud of her son Matt and loved following him through all his academic achievements and many sports ventures. Marty and Donna found joy walking the courses with Matt while he competed for the stellar Skidmore College golf team.

She also felt so loved by all her friends, especially those from A.W. Becker School (Selkirk) and Saratoga Division Street School, as well as her sorority buddies. Along the years they managed annual get-togethers and more recently frequent Facetime conversations. Recalling annual fun trips to Maine with the Division Street ladies always brought smiles to her face. Even when she contracted sIBM and shortly after had to retire earlier than planned, her friends always remained supportive. She considered herself truly blessed!

But those of us who had the honor of spending time with Donna know that it is us who were blessed. She was loving, kind, patient and always giving of herself to others. She was always up for a good time, and her smile and eyes lit up the room. And when she faced the toughest of challenges – losing mobility to a disease – she taught us all about resilience. Somehow, she was able to find joy in each day. She acknowledged out loud the good parts of life, and did not hold back on expressing her love for us. We will all miss her greatly.

The family wishes to sincerely thank all the healthcare professionals who lovingly cared for Donna through the years – too many to individually cite here. They ably practiced in Saratoga Springs, Mechanicville, Albany, Clifton Park, and Troy. Donna resided for the last five months in the excellent skilled nursing section of The Cardinal retirement community in Raleigh, NC. We also wish to thank Donna Edgerly (fondly called Donna 2.0) for her superb care and love for Donna in recent years.

Donna is survived by her husband, Martin Canavan, son Matthew (Cara), and grandson Kellan of Raleigh, NC; her brothers Joseph Grant (late Jean) of Oswego, NY, and Richard Grant (Glenna) of Frederick, MD; and Marty's sister, Mary Lou Anatriello (Mert) of Mechanicville, NY. Also, her nieces Allison Grant, Kate (Peter) Tschudy, Jenna (Marc) Cevasco, Alexis Grant (Ben Collins), and nephew Ricky Grant, and further by grand-nephews Grant, Dominic, Nathan, and Owen, as well as several cousins.

The family requests, instead of flowers, please consider donations in Donna’s name to The Myositis Association (www.myositis.org/donate).

Relatives and friends are invited to call from 2-5pm, with a memorial service at 4:30pm, on Saturday, June 24 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Home, at 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs.