Elizabeth Dahlin.

STERLING - Elizabeth J. (Donaldson) Dahlin, 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 24, after a brief illness.

She is predeceased by her husband, John K. Dahlin, who died in 1974.

She was born in Boylston, daughter of Marion L. (Mitchell) and Edgar B. Donaldson.

She was a graduate of Commerce High School in Worcester.

She worked for the Northboro-Southboro Public School System and in the dean's office at Clark University, before retiring. After moving to West Boylston in 1984, she served as secretary and later as a member of the West Boylston Board of Health and the West Boylston Board of Appeals.

She was a gifted decorative painter and crafter and was a member of the Yankee Heritage Tole Chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters since 1975. She was also a member of the Northboro Art Guild. She has won awards for decorative painting and has taught painting and Ukrainian egg decorating for community groups.

She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth D. Howe, of Sterling, with whom she lived since 2007; son Donald K. Dahlin and daughter-in-law, Rhonda, of British Columbia, Canada; and two grandchildren, John P. Howe Jr. of Sterling, and Emily E. Howe of San Diego, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Alice L. Bump, Marion V. Donaldson and Ruth M. Coyle, and her brother, Edgar S. Donaldson.

There are no calling hours. A private funeral will be held at the convenience of the family, and burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery in Boylston. A memorial service for friends will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of West Boylston or the charity of one's choice. Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln St., Worcester, is handling arrangements. To leave an online condolence, visit Nordgrenmemorialchapel.com.