Donna C. Girard, 80, of the Folts Home Herkimer and formerly of South Utica passed away on Monday, April 29, 2013. Donna was born in Utica on September 27, 1932 a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth (Morath) Conklin. She was a graduate of Utica Free Academy and LeMoyne College Class of 1954 and did graduate work at Utica College and Syracuse University. On April 19, 1955 in North Carolina Donna was united in marriage to Dr. Joseph B. Girard while he was in the Navy, a blessed union of 31 years until his death in 1986. Donna began her teaching career in the New Hartford School system and when the couple moved to Buffalo she taught there as well. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica, and a member and past president of Mohawk Valley Learning Disabilities Inc. Throughout her life she was involved in various activities and organizations including Cub Scouts, Syracuse Opera, the Utica Dental Aux., and teaching religion at Notre Dame High School. Donna had a love of gardening, reading, birds, and playing cards. She especially enjoyed visiting Maine and being by the ocean. Donna is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Mark Girard and Barbara Hort, Vancouver, WA and Peter and Diane Girard, Mohawk, NY, three grandchildren, Sarah, Joseph and Benjamin Girard, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Joan Conklin, Baldwinsville, NY, and Robert and Barbara Conklin, Utica, and many nieces and nephews. Donna was predeceased by her twin brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Virginia Conklin. A Memorial Funeral Mass for Mrs. Girard will be held on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 10:00 from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica. Memorial calling hours for Mrs. Girard will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 4-7 at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica. Donna's family would like to thank the 2nd and 4th floor "girls" of the Folts Home for their loving care, and Father Mark Cunningham for his spiritual guidance. The family would also like to acknowledge Donna's dear friend Dick Vetere for his friendship and compassion thru the years.