Donna M. Merrithew August 17, 1947 February 13, 2012 South Portland- Donna M. Merrithew, 64 of South Portland passed away on Monday, February 13th 2012 surrounded by her loving family after a long illness. Donna was born on August 17, 1947 in Portland, the daughter of Walter and Ina (Ward) Merrithew. She attended Portland schools. Donna worked for 33 years at Barber Foods in Portland where she developed many close friendships that remained intact after her departure from the company. A quiet woman with a very kind and generous heart for everyone she met, Donna was a big fan of the Boston Red Sox. She loved watching television crime shows but most of all she was lovingly dedicated to her family. She enjoyed visiting with her sisters, their families and her friends including her best friend, Marlene Duncan. Not having had children of her own, Donna was always willing to lend a hand and helped all of her sisters to raise her many nieces and nephews through the years. She was loved by each one of them and they thought of her as a sister or as their second mother. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother, Michael Merrithew and a sister, Sharon Johnson. Donna is survived by and will be sadly missed by five sisters, Patricia Bird and her husband Ken of Buxton, Carole Dorr of South Portland, with whom she resided, Jacqueline Foltz of Standish, Linda McKee and her husband Rodney and Judy Hall and husband Bruce, all of Portland as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Visiting hours will be held from 4-6 pm on Thursday February 16, 2012 at Independent Death Care, 660 Brighton Ave. Portland, where a funeral will be held at 11 am on Friday, February 17, 2012. Burial will follow at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland. To offer words of condolence, sign a guest book and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com