Donna Mae (Phaneuf) Bogdanovich, 89, of Mansfield, Connecticut, beloved mother and Nana, passed away on Monday September 21st, 2026. She was born on December 5th, 1936, in Hartford, CT, to the late Kenneth P. Phaneuf and F. Hedwig (Carlson) Phaneuf.

Donna is survived by her daughter Janice Olga (Bogdanovich)Wehner and her husband Russell Wehner Jr. and her granddaughters Evangeline and Anastasia (lovingly known as sugar cookie and sugar plum) of Mansfield, CT. She is also survived by her sister Chris Ann Phaneuf of VA, and brother Kenneth C. Phaneuf of CT and nieces and nephews.

She lost her husband of 68 years, George Bogdanovich, in January of this year. She was also predeceased by her son John Jay Bogdanovich of MA, and her sister Janice Phaneuf of VA.

Donna graduated from East Hartford High School where she participated in many sports. Soon after graduation she met her husband George when they both worked for his uncle’s dry-cleaning business. They were married June 8, 1957. After living in various CT towns, they settled in Ashford. They built a house, raised their children John and Janice (Johnny and Janny) and remained there for 38 years before moving to Mansfield in 2014 to live with Janice and family.

She enjoyed spending time at Lake Chaffee where her parents owned a cottage and all her family and their families gathered in the summer.

After raising her family, she enjoyed working as the first special education aide in the Mansfield school system until she retired. She loved watching UConn Basketball, Red Sox Baseball, and going to Bingo. During her retirement she took up quilting and made personal quilts for the family representing different holidays and seasons.

She was thrilled to become a Nana and adored her granddaughters, Evey and Ana. She was so proud of them while she watched their horse shows, basketball games and theater performances.

Janice:

I have amazing memories of my mom as my Girl Scout Leader for many years, taking me to dance and horseback riding lessons and attending all my recitals, concerts, and horse shows. In the summers we would have bologna and cheese sandwiches and play cards for lunch. I looked forward to The Big E every year and waited for those once-a-year movies like Wizard of OZ, Born Free, and The Sound of Music and watching them as a family. We attended many musicals at local theaters and spent Sunday nights watching Bobby Vinton, Lawerence Welk, and Wild World of Disney weekly movie. Mom and I loved going to craft shows together and finding unique gifts. When I was little, I helped her at craft shows where she sold her needlepoint and crocheted gifts. She loved to laugh and I can remember hours of playing Boggle with her and Aunt Chris and laughing until we cried. Even in the past year a grocery store run could end in laughter until we snorted. That’s what I will miss most, the laughter and love. You are now with Dad and John and I have 3 angels.

Ana:

My Nana was an incredibly kind and funny woman. Whether it be slipping me 20 dollars for gas money or laughing about an inappropriate joke, she always made others laugh. She made others smile. She was an amazing gift and advice giver. Every summer she would take my sister and I back to school shopping, never hesitating to give her opinions. She would frequently give us make-up and jewelry, teaching us when and how to wear different shades and stones.

Some of my favorite memories with her include going through her old jewelry boxes.

She would tell the story behind each piece, explaining when and why she got it, who she bought it for, and where it came from. My Nana was very thoughtful; every gift or word of advice she gave had meaning, an intention. My Nana will be missed deeply, but her legacy of love and care will not be lost.

Evey:

She was the best Nana I could ask for. She always supported my horseback riding, coming to my shows and lessons. She always had a snack waiting for me when I got home from school. My favorite memories of her are spending time at her house when my sister and I were younger, dancing around the dining room table. Nana was kind and funny, always making people laugh. She always supported me and believed in me and I will miss her greatly.

Private services will be held.