Donna Farnese

Donna Farnese, age 58, of Hamilton, formerly of Paterson, Hamburg, and Forked River, passed Thursday, December 24, 2020.

Donna was born in Paterson to Alfred Patrick and Mary Ellen Farnese and was the baby of their “three D’s” Diane, Debra, and Donna. Donna was raised in the family home at 1001 East 28th Street and graduated from the Passaic County Technical and Vocational High School with an emphasis on Health Occupations.

Through the years Donna worked, just out of high school, for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Totowa as a Housekeeping Aide, later as a Maitre D’ for The Bethwood in Totowa,  and as a Home Health Aide for many years. She will be lovingly remembered as a person who had a kind heart and always put others needs before her own.  She brought these loving traits to her work and the family remembers when she was working at the Little Sisters of the Poor and would run errands and buy things for the residents with her own money.

Donna was extremely devoted to her five nieces, nephews, and great-nephew. When each was celebrating their second birthday she would arrange to have Mickey Mouse or a cartoon character of their choice show up at their birthday party.  On several occasions Donna would dress like a clown and entertain the kids as well. For several years she held Christmas parties for her nieces, nephews, and the children of her friends. She would dress up as Santa, give all presents and serve pizza. It could be said she was generous to a fault and a child at heart who loved to see joy on children’s faces. No story about Donna would be complete without recalling her living with her mom for several years and the inseparable bond they developed and her love of cars - especially her 80’s era black Mercury Cougar.  

Donna was the loving sister of Diane Jaouen of Toms River, Debra Migliorino and her husband Robert of Wayne; cherished aunt of Tracy Jaouen and her fiancé John, Robert Jaouen and his girlfriend AJ, Dana Guglielmo and her husband Joseph, Amy DiCarlo and her husband Marshall, and Frank Migliorino and his fiancé Kristen. She was also the dearly loved great-aunt of Joey Guglielmo.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the CURE PSP (click on the blue text to be brought to their donation page) would be greatly appreciated.