Donna M. Hunt

Donna M Hunt Obituary

Forever Missed

• - 66 years old
• - Born on August 7, 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
• - Passed away on October 22, 2026 in Brookline, Massachusetts, United States

Brookline: Donna often found herself always in the aid of others. It didn't matter if she was jumping up to do the dishes or consulting with complex technical business insurance jargon, or even just picking out a color of a shirt. She was there. Probably developed over the years that started when she was born in a Boston Hospital in 1960. The lessons learned from her mother Mimi, were to be loyal, self-sufficient, and strong-willed. If you were her friend, you had a friend for life.

When news of her passing (22Oct2026) broke, the common thread from those who knew her (Read: friend for life), was shock. Was it a joke? But as the reality became clear, that it was too soon. A professional legend in architecture, law, and insurance and a loyal friend to all, light was no longer bright and shining

Arrangements:

Tentatively arranging for a “Celebration of Life” event scheduled for sometime after the New Year (2027)…Probably near Boston/Logan Airport with a venue for a reception.

Please check back for updates.(added: 01Nov2026)

Survived by:

Donna leaves her husband, Richard (Dick) J Perez, her stepsons, Sam Perez and his wife Akriti Sharma, Ben Perez and his wife (Billie) Lynn Perez. She adored her grandkids, Addison, Archer, Emma, and Freyja.

Donna is survived by Pam (sister) and her husband, Chris. Some of her favorite people, the nieces, Heather, Halle, and Hunter.

Her "adopted" family of everyone.

How Donna Influenced EVERYONE:

A common thread from many:

• - "Her spirit was a force of nature" - (Brian S)
• - "Very special person" - (Jim S)
• - "Loved her like a Mom" - (Kitty G, Mar F)
• "I Loved her" - (everyone)
• - "My heart is broken" - (everyone)
• - "She was treasured by many" - (Mark R)
• - An Immediate friend - (Renee P, and many others)
• - Helpful - (everyone)
• - Trusted / Believed in you - (Bill G, Amanda S, Chris B, many others)

What we will miss:

• - Her friendship
• - Her smile
• - Her loyalty
• - Her ability to keep things private (secrets)
• - Always giving of herself
  • - Time
  • - Thoughts
  • - Attention
• - Her memory of details
• - Her sense of right vs wrong
• - Her defense of what is right for those needing someone to stand for them
• - Her generosity
• - Her asking me what I wanted to eat when she had the dietary requirements - (Dick P)

Professional:

With extensive experience as an Architect, Attorney and Insurance professional in the insurance industry focused on professional liability exposures, Donna used that knowledge as a Senior Professional Liability Specialist. In this role, Donna secured specialty insurance products for professionals, provided contract reviews, presented seminars on topics specific to the Clients professional practice and used her background as an information source for clients and her internal team.She earned a B.Arch from Pratt Institute School of Architecture and a J.D. from New England School of Law. She is a member of the Boston Society of Architects (BSA), the American Institute of Architects (AIA); and the Jefferson Society.

1. - She was a Manager of a national insurance carrier’s Architects and Engineers Claims Unit.
2. - A Director of Claims Services for a national insurance carrier, responsible for working with both the underwriting and claims departments in managing broker and client relationships.
3. She developed and managed Professional Lines Risk Management Programs.
4. - She developed a Designers and Contractor Professional Liability Insurance Product and a risk management program for the professional exposure of Contractors and Design-Builders for a national carrier.
5. - She was an Attorney at the Boston Law firm Donovan Hatem LLP, providing legal defense of Architects and Engineers and assisting design professionals by providing contract reviews, risk management evaluations, claims monitoring, seminar
6. - Licensed architect with over 40 years of experience in design and construction including over 15 years of practice in architectural firms in New York and Boston.
7. - B.Arch from Pratt Institute School of Architecture and a J.D. from New England School of Law.
8. - Admitted to Practice Law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1996
9. - Registered Architect, Massachusetts Registered
10. - Jefferson Society, 2012-Present. Past President and Board Member
11. - American Institute of Architects, AIA, Member 1993-2026
12. - Boston Society of Architects, BSA, Member 1993-2026
13. - Admitted to United States Supreme Court, 2015

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