WEST LEYDEN, NY — Donna M. O’Donnell, 80, wife of Thomas A., passed away on July 27, 2018, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Utica, surrounded by her loving family.
Donna was born on May 27, 1938, in Syracuse, a daughter of Richard B. and Anna Mae Peterson Ferris. She grew up in Syracuse graduating from the School of the Most Holy Rosary, with the Class of 1956. Donna then furthered her education at the University of Arizona, where she was a Music Major.
As a child, the Ferris family spent summers on the Black River at their camp on the Moose River Road. This has turned into a cherished family tradition enjoyed by all, the camp is known as The Osprey’s Nest. This is also where Donna met Thomas A. O’Donnell with whom she was united in marriage on February 3, 1962 at Holy Cross Church in Dewitt, NY.
Following their marriage the couple settled in Boonville, first on the Black River and then Charles Street, before moving to West Leyden in 1978, where they have since lived. For ten years Donna was the manager of the O’Donnell Bookstore on Main Street, Boonville, which she and her husband Thomas owned together. Later they also operated a bookstore in Lowville by the same name. For a time Donna was an insurance agent with Prudential, before her several years of employment as an optician for the Optical Shop on Griffiss Air Force Base, Rome.
Donna was an active member of ACAL, where she served as treasurer. She was of the catholic faith and was a member of St. Mary’s Nativity Church, West Leyden. She found great joy reading and playing piano, was an exceptional cook, and enjoyed a good talk about politics.
Besides her husband Thomas, Donna is survived by her children: Loraine O’Donnell, Buffalo, NY, Thomas (Elisabeth Pepke) O’Donnell, Alexandria, VA, Peter (Eun) O’Donnell, Richmond, VA, Michael O’Donnell, Brantingham, and Timothy O’Donnell, Raleigh, NC; grandchildren: Declan Gray, David, Kellen, Kaden, Branden, and Lily-Ann O’Donnell. Also surviving is her twin sister Diana Coyne, Skaneateles, and sister Constance F. (Peter) Redding, Chittenango, several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her sister Kathryn Suzanne Cannon.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 1, at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Nativity Church, 1183 State Route 26, West Leyden, where Pastor Lawrence Marullo will officiate. Interment will follow in Boonville Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc.143 Schuyler St. Boonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Nativity Church, P.O. Box #382, Constableville, NY 13325.
