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August 4, 2010
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, August 6, 2010 from 6-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 AM on Saturday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Rd., Wayne.
Margaret I. Donnellan (nee Whitty), age 93 of Wayne died peacefully on Wednesday, August 4, 2010.
Marge was born in West Paterson, the forth of eight children, and she lived there before moving to Wayne in 1965. She attended St. Bonaventure’s grammar school and High School and graduated in 1935. She was a talented athlete during her high school years playing basketball, swimming, and as the catcher of the high school softball team. She more recently enjoyed hearing all about her grandchildren’s athletic accomplishments.
One of her more creative jobs was as a photo-enhancer during World War II. At that time, many GI’s were getting their photos taken before shipping out and they were all in black and white. Her job was to add color by actually painting over the photos. She was very good at and enjoyed the work immensely. Her true calling though, was as a teacher.
Marge was a Catholic School Teacher for over thirty years, primarily second grade. She taught at her alma mater, St. Bonaventure’s School in Paterson and later taught at St. Mary’s School in Pompton Lakes, and St. Catherine’s School in Ringwood. Throughout her career she touched the lives of countless children; teaching them to read and write during the most crucial developmental time of their lives. She was a wonderful teacher and at one point in her career was awarded “Teacher of the Year” for her ability to teach reading. She was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Wayne.
Her family provided all the joy in her life. She was always interested, genuinely so, in what her children and grandchildren were up to in their lives. She was inquisitive and wanted to know all the details. Her children recall her being a very proud mother and unconditionally supportive of them. How much she loved having her family back home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday’s, or any reason. Mom’s house was where they would all regroup a few times each year. Sunday dinner was particularly important to Marge and if you were lucky, she made her famous pot roast. Her kids enjoyed the pot roast so much so, that on one occasion when their mother surprised them with a ham, they were all disappointed. They all loved her greatly and will surely miss their mother dearly.
Marge was predeceased by her husband Joseph in 1985. They had met in Paterson when Marge worked at a bakery. Joe would come in once a day to buy a loaf of bread, but his motive was to see Marge. Joe was a bus driver at the time and he swapped routes with another driver so that he could spend more time with Marge, driving her to and from work. They attended St. Bonaventure’s Church together and were eventually married in 1940. They cherished their forty five years together.
Marge is survived by her three loving children; Ruth Donnellan of Roswell, Georgia; Gerard Donnellan and his wife Deanne of San Rafael, California; Joseph A. Donnellan and his wife Ellen of Hillsborough, New Jersey; four grandchildren: Brenna of San Rafael, California, Christopher, Lauren, and Taylor of Hillsborough, New Jersey; two sisters: Ellen Fallon of Wayne and Marie Devenney and her husband of West Paterson, one brother; Leo Whitty of Vernon, New Jersey, and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by two brothers: Sam and Eddie Whitty, and two sisters: Florence Ulrich and Ruth Paans.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 749596, Los Angeles, CA 90074-9596.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, August 6, 2010 from 6-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 AM on Saturday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Rd., Wayne.
August 4, 2010
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Friday, August 6, 2010 from 6-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 AM on Saturday at the Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church, 580 Ratzer Rd., Wayne.
Margaret I. Donnellan (nee Whitty), age 93 of Wayne died peacefully on Wednesday, August 4, 2010.
Marge was born in West Paterson, the forth of eight children, and she lived there before moving to Wayne in 1965. She attended St. Bonaventure’s grammar school and High School and graduated in 1935. She was a talented athlete during her high school years playing basketball, swimming, and as the catcher of the high school softball team. She more recently enjoyed hearing all about her grandchildren’s athletic accomplishments.
One of her more creative jobs was as a photo-enhancer during World War II. At that time, many GI’s were getting their photos taken before shipping out and they were all in black and white. Her job was to add color by actually painting over the photos. She was very good at and enjoyed the work immensely. Her true calling though, was as a teacher.
Marge was a Catholic School Teacher for over thirty years, primarily second grade. She taught at her alma mater, St. Bonaventure’s School in Paterson and later taught at St. Mary’s School in Pompton Lakes, and St. Catherine’s School in Ringwood. Throughout her career she touched the lives of countless children; teaching them to read and write during the most crucial developmental time of their lives. She was a wonderful teacher and at one point in her career was awarded “Teacher of the Year” for her ability to teach reading. She was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Immaculate Heart of Mary RC Church in Wayne.
Her family provided all the joy in her life. She was always interested, genuinely so, in what her children and grandchildren were up to in their lives. She was inquisitive and wanted to know all the details. Her children recall her being a very proud mother and unconditionally supportive of them. How much she loved having her family back home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday’s, or any reason. Mom’s house was where they would all regroup a few times each year. Sunday dinner was particularly important to Marge and if you were lucky, she made her famous pot roast. Her kids enjoyed the pot roast so much so, that on one occasion when their mother surprised them with a ham, they were all disappointed. They all loved her greatly and will surely miss their mother dearly.
Marge was predeceased by her husband Joseph in 1985. They had met in Paterson when Marge worked at a bakery. Joe would come in once a day to buy a loaf of bread, but his motive was to see Marge. Joe was a bus driver at the time and he swapped routes with another driver so that he could spend more time with Marge, driving her to and from work. They attended St. Bonaventure’s Church together and were eventually married in 1940. They cherished their forty five years together.
Marge is survived by her three loving children; Ruth Donnellan of Roswell, Georgia; Gerard Donnellan and his wife Deanne of San Rafael, California; Joseph A. Donnellan and his wife Ellen of Hillsborough, New Jersey; four grandchildren: Brenna of San Rafael, California, Christopher, Lauren, and Taylor of Hillsborough, New Jersey; two sisters: Ellen Fallon of Wayne and Marie Devenney and her husband of West Paterson, one brother; Leo Whitty of Vernon, New Jersey, and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by two brothers: Sam and Eddie Whitty, and two sisters: Florence Ulrich and Ruth Paans.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 749596, Los Angeles, CA 90074-9596.
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