Taylor J. Donnelly

Taylor Jordan Donnelly (nee Tirico), age 31, of Kinnelon passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Monday, September 6, 2021 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Taylor and her family lived in Little Ferry, NJ for a time and when she was in second grade, her family moved to Kinnelon where she has been ever since.  Taylor is one of seven children to JoAnn and Gerard Tirico.  While growing up in Kinnelon, Taylor attended Kinnelon High School graduating with the class of 2007.  During her time as a student at Kinnelon High, she was a star goalie on the Girls Varsity HS Lacrosse team.  Following her graduation from Kinnelon HS, Taylor attended Montclair State University where she studied Nutrition. Taylor adored children, so it came as no surprise that she was employed as a Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher for several years.

As a young girl, Taylor attended high school with a fellow student by the name of Joseph Donnelly.  Taylor and Joe went out on a date to the Pizza King in Butler and to a local high school party afterwards.  Joe and Taylor hit it off great and quickly became “High School Sweethearts.”  As fate would have it, they fell in love and on June 11, 2016 Joe and Taylor became husband and wife, getting married at Lake Mohawk in Sparta Township, NJ.  Prior to tying the knot, the couple had already settled in the Fayson Lakes section of Kinnelon, which they called their home.

Taylor enjoyed running, hiking, biking, and cherished taking her dog Riley (a Lhasa Apso) on long walks around her neighborhood.  She also enjoyed watching television, her favorite shows being Friends, Gilmore Girls, The Office, and anything on Bravo (especially Housewives related).  If Taylor were to call someplace a second home, it would be at the beach.  She loved being in the water.  Taylor and Joe treasured year-round vacations to Cape May, NJ.  Her talents extended to crafts, tie dying clothing, and especially photography.  She was an avid baker and created the world’s best birthday cakes for her family.  Taylor was not only dedicated to her interests and talents, but moreover to her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Taylor than spending time with her husband Joe, her mom, dad, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews.  Taylor always did have a special sweet spot for all her nieces and nephews.
 
Taylor conquered life in a beautiful, undefined way and poured herself unapologetically into every action. A woman that could run for miles without ever missing a breath. A wife, sister, daughter, aunt, niece, friend, dog mama, and a reminder to the world to be yourself because in the end “Who really cares?!” Her love is limitless, all encompassing, and will continue to protect her corner from any obstacle this world will throw. Our newest and toughest Guardian Angel Taylor would also tell you to dry your eyes and punch you in the arm for dropping too many tears and proclaim that life is always as beautiful as a sunrise no matter the weather or time of day. And as Taylor would sign off “Skadoosh”

She and her husband Joe cherished five years of loving and loyal marriage together.  Taylor touched the lives of many people around her and will be sincerely missed by her family, friends, and her community.

Taylor is survived by her husband Joseph Donnelly, II of Kinnelon, her Lhasa Apso named Riley, her parents, JoAnn and Gerard Tirico of Kinnelon, five sisters: Jillian Tirico and her husband Kyle Remaly, Tristin Tirico, Tamrin Serpico and her husband Michael, Jenna Nilsen and her husband Sean, Josie Strafaci and her husband Marc, one brother Colby Tirico and his girlfriend Alyssa Natale, one brother-in-law Clint Donnelly, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Joseph and Monika Donnelly; three nephews: Jackson, Brayden, and Colston, and three nieces: Bryli, Mikayla, and Blake.

Taylor’s family has asked that those wishing to send flowers choose arrangements of Sunflowers or Wildflowers, as they are her favorite.  Also, in lieu of flowers, donations in Taylor’s name may be made to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation (Aneurysm Awareness), 269 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA 02339 http://www.bafound.org