Danielle S. Girard, PhD

Lovingly known as Dr. Dany Girard, Danielle passed away in her home in Lancaster, England in August 2026. She was the only child of Roger and Patricia (Hall) Girard of Athol, MA, born in Leominster, MA in August 1992, where she resided for 11 years.

She graduated Class of 2010 from Narragansett Regional High School in Templeton, MA. Then launched her academic pursuits at Mount Wachusett Community College where she embodied their slogan “Start near … go far”.

In 2014 she was conferred a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Fitchburg State University, summa cum laude. Then moving to the United Kingdom, in 2015 she completed a master’s degree in English with merit from University of Reading in the U.K. She went on, in 2022, to complete her PhD in English and Creative Writing at Lancaster University, Lancaster U.K.

At her passing, she was employed as a lecturer at Lancaster University, in Lancaster U.K. where she was known as an exceptional scholar and researcher with several published academic collaborations.

As noted by her department leader: To say Dany was an extremely valued member of the Media and Film team at Lancaster University is an understatement. Indeed, Dany was the lifeblood of the Media and Cultural Studies program at the university, entrusted with some of their most important teaching modules.

Danielle was noted by one collaborator as one of the most gifted teachers she’d worked with over twenty years at the university. Stating, she would walk into the room and it was as though the group immediately trusted her and wanted to impress her; it was a kind of magic.

The world will miss her intellect, warmth, and humor.

Danielle owned her own home in Lancaster, England since July 2024 which she had keenly decorated as a lovely display of her interests and personality. She was an avid reader and we looked forward to her annual list of her favorite reads for the year along with a quick synopsis.

Dany loved to travel the world. Her last adventure with two close friends and colleagues was to Egypt where they enjoyed sightseeing and snorkeling.

Halloween was Danielle’s favorite time of year. She enjoyed a good scary movie. Actually, she loved the bad ones also.

If you received a personal note from Danielle it was likely closed with an ornate wax seal. She was a role model to many at every age. Her last outing to the zoo included 3 year old Owen, to whom she was a fairly oddparent, and concluded with a loving nose bop.

Danielle’s Life Motto:

“Not all those who wander are lost”

Dany loved to read and she loved the library.

In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the Athol Public Library https://athollibrary.org/p/7/Friends -or- Danielle also loved all animals, and she supports bear rescue through https://kilhambearcenter.org/donate.

Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 4:00-6:00PM at Mack Family Funeral Homes, Athol-Orange Chapel, 110 New Athol Rd., Orange, MA.

Burial will be private.