Polofsky, Donna
Cranston
Polofsky, Donna J. (Carlow), 83, passed away peacefully at Rhode Island Hospital on Saturday, June 13, surrounded by her large and loving family, of which she was most proud, and lifelong friends, who were family. She was the beloved and ever-devoted widow to her late husband, Michael Polofsky, whom she married in 1965 and predeceased her in 1996.
Born and raised in Brookline, MA, she was the daughter of Roscoe and Gloria (St. Jacques) Carlow and later the stepdaughter to Frederick Burnham. Donna had so many fond memories of growing up in the Boston area including riding the streetcars all day and hanging out at the theater in Coolidge Corner. At 19, her family moved to RI and she went along “kicking and screaming”, not wanting to leave “the city”. She would later count this as the luckiest move because she met the love of her life. Donna was a lifelong Cranstonian from then on, even being counted as an honorary alumnus of Cranston High School Class of 1959, attending class reunions long after her husband’s passing.
A lover of education, but never the conformist, Donna took classes and studied passions at RISD, Harvard, and URI including business, photography, art, poetry, and retail management. She would go on to hone these skills over her lifetime, starting many amazing businesses. She co-founded The Humidor Smoke Shop with her husband in 1965, a family business which continues today. Ever the entrepreneur, she also founded and owned several other businesses over her lifetime; Vogue on the Arcade Modeling, Kitchen Caravan, and Regional Mortgage Co.
Donna had travelled to many countries and loved immersing herself in the foreign culture and making friends along the way. She also loved reading, the movies, and mostly gardening and anything flowers, a love she had shared with Michael.
She was the cherished mother of Jana Lily Mooney, her husband David; Brett Joseph Polofsky, his wife Melissa; Dax Louis Polofsky; and Kaia Lee Polofsky, and her husband Robert Greenhalgh. Beloved sister of Lillian Dragon and Eliza Burnham, both of Colorado. She was predeceased by her siblings Jara Uzenda, Walter Carlow, and Daniella Carlow.
Her ultimate pride and joy were her eight grandchildren who will miss her eternally; Michael, Mason, Xander, Taylor, Griffin, Owen, Gavin, and Ashton. Sleepovers, pool parties, trips for ice cream, wild west adventures, playing zombie grandmother, reading, learning to knit and crochet, gardening and yard work…Grammie made everything fun!
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026, 11am at Shalom Memorial Chapel, 1100 New London Ave, Cranston, guests are encouraged to arrive around 10:30 a.m. Graveside prayers and burial will continue immediately after at Lincoln Park Cemetery, 1469 Post Rd, Warwick. Shiva will be held at 3 Pembroke Drive, Johnston immediately following the burial as well as later that evening from 6-8pm. All friends and family are welcome. Flowers are appreciated and encouraged for the service and Shiva, please exclude lilies.
To view the recorded service, please click here.
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Shalom Memorial Chapel
1100 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 463-7771
(877) 463-7771
Fax: (401) 463-7850
ShalomChapel@aol.com
I am so sorry for your loss. Donna had the biggest heart I know, and I am so very grateful to have gotten to know her. This place we call earth is a better place because if her, and she will missed dearly, but remembered, with a smile, often.
My condolences to the Polofsky family and to all of those whom cherished Donna.
My sister Donna always saw the good in everybody. She always had a kind word. If she was your friend you were a lucky person. We grew up having lots of fun together and my big sister looking out for me. I will miss her every day I have left and look forward to the day when all of my sisters and my brother will be together again in the hereafter. Love you, Donna always your lolly.
May you rest in peace Donna.There is no replacement for you . only the love that you shared that we will carry in our hearts . you may be away but never forgotten,
My condolences to the entire family.
Donna’s memory will always be a
blessing in your hearts forever.
She was a great women with a loving heart and will be greatly missed my prayers go out to all her family
Dear Polofsky Family,
Donna will always be there, with her hearty laugh and zest for joy, and I will have her with me in heart, mind and soul. Like Mike, she will always be remembered as welcoming and kind. Special is an understatement. You have been blessed. We have been blessed. So glad Donna was born and sheared her exuberance with us. Sending you love and many hugs. Like Mike, your Mom is eternal. Love. Peace. I shall light up!
Donna was a lively soul full of sunshine, stories of her adventures. and had a one of a kind personality. She was always so thoughtful and putting other’s needs before her own. I remember working at Regional Mortgage and our trip to Myrtle Beach. I am currently out of state so I will be unable to make her services. My thoughts and prayers to all her family.
We are SO very sorry to hear of Your Mom’s passing. This is a sad day. We will always remember her vivid and bright personality. She was always so interesting to talk with, like we were old friends since the day we first met her. Good bye Donna. We will always remember her, and Mike also.
David and Barbara Gordon
Dear Polofsky Family,
Sorry for your loss. May her memory be a blessing. You have wonderful memories to remember.
Phyllis B. Solod
Donna was such a lovely, humorous and outgoing person, she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. RIP and my sincerest condolences to Jana and family.
Deepest ycondolences to your family. Donna was an amazing person. Will always have fond memories.
My dear dear friend…….so many memories, so many stories and so many years. You were a love, a true friend, an “auntie” to my children and my greatest cheerleader. You will be missed, you were loved……until I see you again….rest in peace. Let me describe Donna: She was the original “Auntie Mame”
I will miss you my dear, sweet sister. You were full of life and love, savoring every magical moment. You took me on so many fun adventures that I never would have experienced otherwise. You sang me to sleep when I was little, sent me my first bouquet of flowers for my 12th birthday, a wedding cake for my sweet 16th birthday. Always generous. Always fun. You will be in my thoughts and heart forever. And I will miss you dearly.
My deepest and most sincere condolences to the Polofsky family.
I will always treasure the memories of the times we spent together.
Godspeed and RIP Donna
What a genuine soul. A true romantic. I’ve always said everything word she said was poetry. I have only the fondest memories of our summer visits to New England. It’s a different world without her. Hope Lolly doesn’t see this but if I’m being honest she was always my favorite
My condolences and all my best to you cousins, love you all and hope to see you soon.
-Alex
As a former Rhode Islander, I “met” Donna on a cigar website many years ago. She immediately made me feel like a longtime friend with her kindness and joie de vivre. When I returned to Rhode Island years later she welcomed me back with her always generous spirit. She was a true character in the best sense of the word. My condolences to her family and may her memory be a blessing.