Dona Drumm Motts, an environmental and civic advocate, passed away peacefully in Amherst September 2nd, aged 95. She fought to create and protect local conservation areas and staunchly defended the democratic process.

Born to postal worker Ernest H. Drumm and Swedish immigrant Olga “Marie” Hendrickson in Pipestone, MN, Dona delivered war telegrams and worked as a telephone operator while attending Pipestone High School. After graduating salutatorian in 1945, she departed for the University of Minnesota (UMN) – the first person in her family to graduate from college. At UMN Dona also met her future husband, Ward Motts. They married in 1951 after Ward completed his MS in geology and Dona her BA in sociology.

The next ten years were a whirlwind of moves and new starts. In Chico, CA Dona earned her teaching certificate from Chico State College, taught English, and coached basketball at the local high school. At Champaign-Urbana IL their first child, Paul, was born (in 1955) and Ward earned his Ph.D in geology. In Roswell, NM, Dona’s focus shifted from underprivileged children in Minneapolis to the plight of migrant children along the US-Mexico border. She completed her MSW from UMN in 1957 while caring for Paul and working with migrant families in New Mexico. Daughter Greta was born in Albuquerque in 1960. The beauty of the Southwest and concern for clean water (Ward’s life-work) ignited a passion for conservation and environmental activism.

Following a brief stint at the University of Oklahoma the family moved to Amherst in the fall of 1961, with Ward joining UMass as associate professor of geology. Dona quickly became involved in Amherst affairs through Toastmasters, Great Books, AAUW and LWV. She and Ward fell in love with the beauty of the Pioneer Valley and resolved to protect its wetlands and natural areas. Employed by Children’s Aid and Family Service in Northampton, she helped resettle Cuban families fleeing oppression. Dona considered this one of the most rewarding times of her life and was immensely proud when one of her charges later became a district judge.

As chair of the Amherst Conservation Commission Dona helped create new conservation areas, facing down the threat of rampant development and even a million-dollar lawsuit from developers. Both she and Ward worked to protect the watershed area of Lawrence Swamp. In 1970 Dona became a founding member of the Kestrel Trust, conserving farmland and sensitive wetland habitat in the Pioneer Valley. As LWV president she hosted constituent meet-and-greets for local legislators. She served Amherst Town Meeting as an elected member. The call to higher education led her to an M.Ed in secondary school counseling from UMass in 1979. She also joined the Hampshire Choral Society from 1975 until 1995, participating in tours to Romania and England.

In the 1980’s Dona was hired as Secretary to the Watershed Citizen’s Advisory Committee (WSCAC) and worked for ten years to protect the Quabbin watershed. Continuing to serve during retirement, Dona was a chair exercise instructor at the Amherst Senior Center until age 92. She spent her last years at Rockridge Retirement Community in Northampton.

Ward and Dona traveled extensively throughout their lives, exposing their children to the wonders of the National Parks as well as art and music. They took a variety of classes through Five College Learning in Retirement into their 80’s. Exposure to the arts and natural beauty guided their two children to careers in the National Park Service and in the arts.

Dona exemplified the values of Greatest Generation. She believed in putting the social good before everything else, even when it called for sacrifice. Thanks to Dona, Amherst is graced with beautiful conservation areas, strong civic ties, and clean water.

Dona leaves son Paul and his wife Gretchen; daughter Greta and her husband Dana Birkby, with their children Alicia and Michael and great-grandson Jeffrey. Also nephew David Drumm, niece Mary Drumm Sikora, plus great-nieces and nephews. Her husband Ward, brother Ernest Drumm Jr., and nephew Douglas Drumm preceded her in death.

A private burial was held at Wildwood Cemetery on September 10th. A memorial service for both Dona and Ward is planned at South Congregational Church in South Amherst, November 5th, 2022 at 2:00 PM, reception to follow.  Remembrances may be made to the Kestrel Trust. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com