Obituary of Joan D. Donnelly

Joan Donnelly died on Thursday, April 28, 2022, at The Villa at the Lake. She was 97 years old. Joan was born on July 1, 1924, in Erie, PA, to Wilber and Mary McLaughlin Davis. She married James D. Donnelly at St. Patrick's Church on June 26, 1948. She was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School and Villa Maria College. She taught at Villa Maria Academy for two years. A business education teacher, she later resumed teaching in Conneaut, OH, first at Rowe High School and then at Conneaut High School, retiring after twenty-seven years of service. Joan was a member of Corpus Christi Parish, the Catholic Daughters of America, the Alpha Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and various other teachers' organizations. She was a former member of St. Mary's Choir in Conneaut, and sang with St. Joseph Calasanctius Choir in Jefferson for several years. A woman of compassion and grace, she enjoyed reading, golfing, traveling, bridge, music, and especially being with family. She was preceded in death by her husband James, to whom she was married for 56 years, and her great-grandson, Nathan Ackerman. She is survived by daughters Anne Richards (James), Mary Zappitelli (Anthony), both of Conneaut, sons James Donnelly (Teri) of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Thomas Donnelly (Robin) of Albany, Ohio; grandchildren Joseph (Staci) and Michael Zappitelli, Kelley and Jaime Richards (Joel Bernier), Patrick (Danielle) and Bryan Tredway, Joseph and Ryan (Kendra) Donnelly; great-grandchildren Joseph, Jacob, Angeline, Alexis, and Madelynn Zappitelli, Alexander Ackerman, James and William Tredway, Elijah Teasley, Beau and Poppy Bernier. Joan's family wishes to thank the Villa at the Lake and Hospice of the Western Reserve for their dedication and care. Memorials may be made in Joan's name to Corpus Christi Parish, 744 Mill St., Conneaut, Ohio, 44030. A private celebration of life service will be held by family members. She will be inurned next to her husband, James at St. Joseph Cemetery, Conneaut.