Canaan, NH – Donna Lee Just, 88, a beloved schoolteacher, transitioned from this life and passed away early Thursday, January 22, 2026. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Baton Rouge, Louisiana became the home of her roots. In the 1960’s, Donna moved to Granby, Connecticut with Betty Jean Allen to attend college. Donna began teaching kindergarten in Granby at Kelly Lane School. In later life, Donna and Betty Jean moved to Canaan, New Hampshire, where Donna provided Betty Jean with love and care during her final stages of life. Donna taught 3rd grade in Canaan until retirement. She cared for her mother and “Auntie” Ruth; Southern ladies who moved to the mountains of New Hampshire, blending charm and grit.
Donna’s greatest joy and gift to the world was teaching. From the person shoveling her walk, to friends of decades, her heart would gush about “my babies.” Her guitar and sweet voice were her co-teachers. Donna was one of the first teachers to provide DYOT (Do Your Own Thing) time for her students. She trusted them to find a project that spoke to their soul, and provided the resources, time, and guidance needed to accomplish each individual’s goals.
Donna was an eternal compassionate optimist, seeing the good in every living creature. Her charm could fool you, as she was also a survival queen in a petite package. She and Betty once came upon a car that had spun off the hilly dirt road into an embankment near home. The driver was not in sight. Donna and Betty returned with a truck, a winch, and generosity. The car was returned to the road and they went about their day.
To honor Donna, be more Donna. Be kind. Be more giving and forgiving. Check on a friend and someone down on their luck. Take a little creature that needs help, under your wing, for a moment, or for a lifetime. See the bright side and be resilient. Always consider if someone is misbehaving, maybe there is a good reason for it, and bring compassion. At the same time, don’t be fooled; trust your tummy test. Be grounded and listen to inner wisdom. When all else fails, sing.
One of Donna’s greatest lessons to her children was to sit in a circle with a teddy bear in the middle. She’d ask each one what they saw. Each child saw something different, and each view was true. Her facets in life, and how people knew her were similar to all the views of the bear; all were true.
Donna leaves behind the legacy of touching a community through her teaching, Friends of Canaan flower planting, snow plowing, pralines, music, and more.
In lieu of funeral services, gather privately for goodies and tea. Share stories of Donna with love, humor, and music.
An online guestbook is available to leave a message of condolence by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated in Donna’s name, to two of her favorite organizations:
The Humane Society of New Hampshire
Or mail checks written to New Hampshire Humane Society:
New Hampshire Humane Society
PO Box 572
Laconia, NH 03247
The Friends of Canaan Village
Mail checks written to FoCV:
FoCV
PO Box 452
Canaan, NH 03741
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes