Donna Louise Gilton

Dr. Donna L. Gilton, 73, of Wakefield, left her earthly body and joined her heavenly Father on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Donna was born on July 9, 1950 in Lynn, MA. She was the only daughter of the late Rev. Charles W. Gilton, Sr. and Hattie (Franklin) Gilton. She was preceded in death by both parents and one brother, David Q. Gilton Soma.

Donna graduated from Simmons University in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and history. She earned her master’s degree in library science from Simmons University in 1975, and her Ph.D. in the same subject from the University of Pittsburgh in 1988.

Donna worked as a reference librarian for many years at the Boston Public Library, the Belize Teachers College, Western Kentucky State University, and Pennsylvania State University. She was a library science professor at the University of Rhode Island for over twenty years before retiring. She taught courses in reference services, information literacy, and multicultural literacy. She was the author of two books on children’s literature and lifelong learning in public libraries.

Donna has served at several churches over the decades. She taught or coordinated Sunday School and worked with a number of Children and Family Ministries. She conducted junior, adult, and village choirs at different times. She also composed music which has been performed at a number of churches and she served on several church education and library boards.

She had dual membership at Mount Zion A.M.E. Church in Newport and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Kingston. At Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, she served as its the music director for twelve years. She also served as a member of the Women’s Missionary Society. As a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, she was a member of its choir, Social Action Committee, and a reader. She was also a member of the American Library Association, Rhode Island Library Association, the Association of Library and Information Science Educators and was a co-founder of Cornucopia of Rhode Island. She was also a member of the South Kingstown Public Library Board of Trustees. For fun, she loved to read, travel, dance, and listen to and perform music.

She is survived by her twin brother, Charles W. Gilton, Jr. of North Kingstown, many cousins and special sister, Joan Pratt of Wakefield, Rhode Island.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at New Fernwood Cemetery, Kingston, on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 am followed by a funeral service at 11:30am at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd at 383 Old North Rd, Kingston. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Preparatory School, Inc. at 135 Prairie Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island 02905.