ROCKPORT — Donna B. Rackliff, 81, died unexpectedly at home, Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

Born in Rockland, May 4, 1942, she was the daughter of Freeman, Jr. and Dorothy Kalloch Brewer. Educated locally, Donna graduated from Rockland High School.

In 1962 Donna married the love of her life, Ralph Rackliff, not long after they started their family with Scott, Sheryl and Stacy.

Always a hard worker, she has held several jobs throughout her lifetime. For several years she worked at the Tradewinds Hotel in the laundry and later had a day care in her own home caring for many local children.

Donna had a special place in her heart for animals, especially birds, owning several over the years. When her husband Ralph passed away she gained a new companion and ‘co-pilot’ Baylee, her Retriever-Shepard mix rescue. They were fast friends and Baylee never left Donnas side.

Donna had a special individual bond with each of her children. She cherished occasional dinners and a couple beers reminiscing with her son Scott, Friday and Saturday night dinners with Sheryl and David, and special phone calls every morning and evening from Stacy at 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

She had an incredible love for music from Rock & Roll to Hip-Hop and Pop, one never knew when she would break out a few moves. Almost every morning Donna could be found at Rockland McDonalds having coffee with her dear friends. Donna also loved trips to Augusta shopping with a very special friend, Debbie.

Donna will forever be remembered for her loving heart and infectious smile, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Donna is survived by her children, Scott Rackliff and his fiancée Polly Thomas of Union, Sheryl Harrison and her husband David of Thomaston, Stacy Simone and her husband Tony of Plaistow, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Kara and Michael Wilson of Warren, Amanda and Jeff Payson of Waldoboro, Ashley Rackliff and her partner Zeb Hills of Belmont, Nathan Simone of Plaistow, New Hampshire; her bonus grandchildren, Deanna Harrison of Middletown, Connecticut, David Harrison, Jr. of Rockland; her great-grandchildren, Aleah Shay, Cameron, Sophie and Kaiden Wilson; and her bonus great-grandchildren, Julia Payson and Kelsey Payson; and a brother-in-law, Ruel ‘Sonny’ Hooper; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph, in 2019 and her younger sister, Linda Hooper, on November 6, 2023, just six weeks before her.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held Saturday, February 17, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Rockland Lodge of Elks, 210 Rankin Street, Rockland.

To share a memory or condolence with her family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.