Donna Louise LaCross-Benedict, formerly of Coventry passed away peacefully on February 16, 2024 surrounded by her family at North Country Hospital in Newport VT at the age of 73.

Born on May 22, 1950, to the late Walter and Catherine (Nutter) Basnar, she grew up in St Johnsbury, VT. As the oldest of three children, she helped watch her siblings when her mother worked nights. She told stories of how she sat on the floor with her back against the front door to prevent her little brother, David, from sneaking out at night.

In March 1967 she met Norman LaCross through a mutual friend. They married December 27th, 1969 in the middle of an ice storm, by candlelight, because the church's power was out due to the storm. They made their home in Westmore, VT where Donna stayed at home to raise their 4 children.

Donna was active in the community, living near Willoughby Lake, she wanted to make sure her children knew how to swim and organized the Lake Willoughby Swimming Lesson program. She also helped to organize Halloween parties at the Westmore Town Hall. She was good at crafts and made many items that were put into the goody bags.

After raising her children, Donna went back into the workforce. She worked for Gene Besaw's accounting firm while taking night classes at Johnson State College where she graduated with honors. Her educational journey culminated in a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and she became a Certified Public Accountant. She worked for RF Lavigne and then was hired by North Country Hospital to work in their corporate accounting department. She also operated a small bookkeeping and tax service business out of her home in Coventry until she retired.

Donna met Stephen Benedict from Berlin, NH in 2003. He joined her in Coventry and they were married on May 22, 2004. Stephen took Donna on her first trip across the country and down the East Coast in their travels. They enjoyed collecting things together, and spending time at their camp in New Hampshire.

Donna was a woman of many interests and talents. She loved to read, to bake huge chocolate chip cookies, and to collect things. She had beautiful flower beds at her home in Westmore. She planted a garden and canned food for the family.  She enjoyed crafts, building Legos, and bird watching. She also had a passion for Genealogy and spent a lot of time researching and documenting the family tree.

Donna was an amazing and dedicated mother. She taught us how to be respectful to our elders, and how to lend someone less fortunate a helping hand. She taught us that showing up to work isn't enough and that you have to put in the effort and actually work. She was kind to everyone and she never complained. She had the most incredible will to live despite having multiple health issues with increasing severity in the last 8 years of her life. There were many times over the years that the doctors had written her off and she amazed them by making recovery after recovery. Her deep love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was her driving force.

Donna leaves behind her loving children: Robin LaCross (Bradley), Tammy Mosher (Casey), Andrew LaCross (Sherie), and Lee LaCross; her adored grandchildren: Brian Norway (Chelsea), Karlee LaCross, Alex Mosher, Brianna Mosher, Caitlyn Brown, Meghan Nguyan, Christian Gervais, Nathanial Colburn; and her 4 great-grandchildren: Sophie, Owen & Garrett Norway and Chloe Nguyen.

She also leaves behind her beloved second husband Stephen Benedict, her stepdaughter Suzanne Colburn (Andy), her sister Sandy Hall (Jules), and her brother, David Basnar, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Donna was pre-deceased by her mother Catherine Basner, her first husband Norman LaCross, and her faithful dog, Max.

A Graveside service will be held Saturday May 18th at 10 am at the Coventry Village Cemetery, Cemetery Lane (off Coventry Station Road, Coventry VT.) Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.