d. January 9, 2026
DIANNE M. “DEE” (DUNNIGAN) MACDONALD, of Reading, formerly of Woburn, passed away suddenly on January 9, 2026, at the age of eighty-two.
Born and raised in Woburn, Dianne was the beloved daughter of the late Harold and Margaret (McNeil) Dunnigan. She was a graduate of Woburn High School, Class of 1961.
Dee met the love of her life, Edward MacDonald when she was in high school. Although they could never agree on whether they went to her prom together, they quickly became inseparable. They married in 1973 and, together, they built a life rooted in devotion to one another, their home, and, above all, their family.
Family was the heart of Dee’s world. A caregiver by nature, she took great pride and joy in looking after those she loved, always putting others’ needs before her own. Her kindness, generosity, and steady presence were felt by everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Summers were especially cherished and were spent at the family cottage in Hampton Beach, often with a pack of nieces and nephews filling every available inch of floor space. Summers at Hampton made lasting memories for multiple generations of the MacDonald and Dunnigan families.
Dee was well known for her love of car rides with Ed, exploring backroads and discovering new places and local restaurants to try. She loved yard sales and bargain hunting and took pride in uncovering hidden gems and turning simple finds into treasured additions to her home.
Above all else, Dee valued time spent with her family and took immense pride in her role as a grandmother. She and Ed were there from the day their granddaughters were born, and Dee quickly became an expert in all things twin. They were the girls’ primary caregivers while their parents worked, taking them to the library or the beach and embracing the chaos that took over their home.
Dee was a devoted and loving mother to Eryn MacDonald and her husband James Davis of Reading, and Erica MacDonald of Reading. She was a cherished and proud grandmother to Fyn and Lis Davis, who brought her endless joy. Dee was the dear sister of Richard Dunnigan and his wife Sally of Virginia, and the late Keith Dunnigan and his wife Judith of Connecticut. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are private and under the direction of the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, MA 01801. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Dee’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
