Donna R. Campbell
Date of Passing:
Campbell, Donna Rae Dickson (Burrows), 88, passed away at Steere House, Providence, RI, on January 28, 2020. She had previously resided at Atria Bay Spring in Barrington. Donna was born December 7, 1931 in Pawtucket, RI to Clarence and Wilma Burrows.
Her striking looks and natural beauty were noticed at a very early age. In the course of her life, she enjoyed being a model in both print media and television as well as a TV personality. She was sought after for modeling tasks and fashion shows by the dominant retailers of the era, including the Outlet Company, Peerless, Shepard’s, Harris Furs and innumerable others. She would also be seen in TV commercials including the Outlet Company, Almacs, Chrysler Corp., and Cherry and Webb. Donna was a popular print-ad model and was contracted by the Fram Corp, General Electric, US Rubber, Pearson Yachts, Seventeen Magazine, WJAR, and many others.
Donna was the champion of many beauty pageants. Some of her many titles included: Miss Rhode Island for Miss Universe, 1958, Miss California Wine Queen, 1958, Miss Breck Golden Girl contestant, 1959, National Semi-Finalist Miss Rheingold, 1960 and Miss Rhode Island for Miss World, 1960 just to name a few. She graduated from the Nancy Taylor Charm School in New York and became an instructor for the Bunny North Charm and Modeling School.
As Donna Dixon, she co-hosted the show Eye-Dentify on WJAR-TV with Jay Kroll from 1964 to 1966. She was artistically gifted in painting and drawing and was eager to share her interests and talents in both fashion and interior design as well. She also loved to read and write, penning a yet to be published novel called “Say Good Bye.” Later in life, Donna became a nanny and was much loved by her charges.
She is survived by her three children, Leslie McGlory of Seekonk, MA, Scott Campbell of Murfreesboro, TN and Kyle Dickson of Chattanooga, TN and their families and her beloved grand dog, Haggis. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A Celebration of her Life will be held in the spring.
Arrangements are by the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside.
My Deepest sympathies to the family
We’ve known Donna since the ’80’s through her daughter Leslie. Her physical beauty is a given, but more importantly she was always entertaining, interesting, warm and inclusive. She was a lovely and open woman who will be missed.
I had the privilege of knowing Donna for nearly 20 years and have fond memories of thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays with Leslie and her. She always treated me like a grandson and always showed me so much love. She will be missed by many, and always remembered for her kindness and infectious personality.
Donna was one of the hardest losses I have faced in many years. I took care of Donna for the last year of her life in a facility and from the first time we had an interaction, I knew she was going to be tough to build a relationship with, but I thought to myself, this woman is different. She knows what she doesn’t want, she’s extremely intelligent (even with her diagnosis) , and she is beyond beautiful! I immediately was drawn to her charismatic personality and lively spirit. She was always up and down and that’s part of what I loved so much. I’ll never forget the first time she came out and told me she loved me, and later that day , from the end of the hall was yelling for me, “Sylvia!!!, Sylvia!!!!” She didn’t know exactly who I was, but that I was somebody she could trust. From that day on I spent hours continuing to get closer with her over a span of time. We became so close that she would get mad at me if I went on break and didn’t tell her I would be back, and sometimes she even waited at the door for me to tell me exactly how she felt. I could continue on forever, but Donna is someone who will continue to be in my prayers night and day. There isn’t a moment that goes by that I don’t think of her, but I’ve been trying to think of happy times like when I would take her out to the garden , or after dinner when I would take her to her room and we would look out The window together and she would say “ absolutely beautiful”(…etc…) my condolences to her family , Leslie, Don, and Haggis you are all in my prayers. You were so fortunate to have been surrounded with such a vibrant soul for so long, and Leslie, you are her younger twin! Beautiful, sweet, and knows what she wants, but mostly what she doesn’t !! so much love to everyone who was touched by Donna. Rest easy my beautiful angel.
I never met Donna myself, but my daughter had the privilege of helping to care for her in her later days. My daughter spoke nothing but love for this woman who made a real impression on her. I must say, my daughter has a huge heart and genuine love of caring for her patients, but Donna was different. She was very special to her. When she spoke of her, she always told me how spunky, sassy and intelligent she was and that she really loved her. She spoke of her daughter Leslie and how sweet she is. I feel as though I got to know Donna through my daughter. Please know that your Mother was well loved and well cared for. I’m very sorry for your loss.
I meet Donna few years back and the very first day I saw her I knew this woman was gonna mean so much to me. You will be forever missed Leslie Im So So Sorry for your loss I saw the love you had for your mother she was a wonderful woman sassy and all loved her. my Condolences to the Family ❤️