Donna Mills

Donna L. (Wetmore) Mills 82, of Rutland, VT, passed away peacefully at Rutland Regional Medical Center on February 24, 2026. She was born on April 2, 1943, to Hayden and Elizabeth (Johnson) Wetmore of Leicester, VT.

Donna married James E. Mills Sr. on December 5, 1964, at the Congregational Church in Brandon, VT. Together they adopted their only child, a son, James E. Mills Jr., in February 1971.

Donna had the pleasure of living on both coasts, in Marysville, WA, where she witnessed Mt. St. Helens erupting and Portland, ME, where she enjoyed the freshest seafood. But Vermont was always home and she returned in 1984 and has lived in Rutland since.

A life-long caregiver, Donna worked in the lunchroom of Lincoln Elementary School in Rutland, served as the Activities Director at Mckerley Nursing Home in Rutland, and worked as a home health aid for the Visiting Nurses Association in Rutland County. She was an active crocheter and made many afghans for her family. Donna was an avid reader and would often trade books with friends and family. She was a proud Breast Cancer Survivor and participated in the Rutland Relay for Life with other survivors. Donna enjoyed Bingo with friends, often traveling for the ‘big games’ and playing more cards at one time than you might think possible. She also loved playing poker with her husband and friends with over 50 years of wins, losses and so many laughs. In retirement she travelled to see her son’s marathons, her daughter-in-law’s theatre performances, her granddaughter’s music & theatre performances and her grandson’s basketball games. Donna made a great lasagna and the BEST French toast – just ask her grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her brother-in-law Dick Mills and his wife Nancy Mills of Ballston Spa, NY, brother-in-law Ronald Hallet of Middlebury, VT and brother-in-law Carl Torsnes of Randolph, VT.

She is survived by her husband, James E. Mills Sr.; her brother Lloyd Wetmore of Brandon, her sisters Elizabeth (Wetmore) Hallet and her husband Bob Marsette of Forest Dale, VT; Patricia (Wetmore) Ferson and her husband Terry Ferson of Forest Dale, VT; her son James E. Mills Jr and his wife Amy (Mackin) Mills of Burlington, VT; her grandchildren; granddaughter Jessie Mills and her husband Jason Stockett, and grandson Riley Mills all of Burlington, VT; and several brothers and sisters-in-law; twenty nieces and nephews; and one loving great grand-dog, Murphy, who always found great-grandma for snuggles.

Viewing hours will be held on March 7, 2026 from 4-6PM at Clifford’s Funeral Home in Rutland, VT. A celebration of life for Donna will coincide with a spring burial.