Joan Marie Donnelly
May 24, 1967 ~ August 6, 2010
Joan Marie Donnelly, 43, formerly of Weirton, WV, went home to be with Our Lord and Our Lady on August 6, 2010, on the Transfiguration of Christ, in Ocoee, FL.
She was born the 8th child of 9 children to John Robert and Rose Mary (Giglio) Donnelly in Weirton.
Besides her parents, she is survived by her husband and best friend Todd Heiden, a beloved mother of Sofie Marie (2), Iain Maxwell "Max" (1 month) and stepdaughter Camille (9); a loving sister to Joy (Don) Smith of Buffalo, J.R. "Bobby" (David) of Orlando, Dr. Diana Donnelly-Roberts of Gurnee, IL, Kimberly (Steve) Brown of Crownsville, MD, Kerry of Orlando, Lynne Hileman of Fountain Inn, SC, Beth (Rob) Arvey of Baltimore, Mia (Tim) Donnelly-Tomblin of Huber Heights, OH; an adoring niece to Uncle Carmen (Bonnie) Giglio, Val (Linda) Giglio, Christina Costain, Pete Giglio and Barbara, Uncle Dick (Sandy) Donnelly, Aunt Cheryl (Tom) Capek, Aunt Debbie (Larry) Savage and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.
Joan will be greatly missed by all.
Joan was a graduate of St. Paul's Grade School, Madonna High School and Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. A marketing employee at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando for the past 22 years, Joan was compassionate for animals and life.
Joan was a beautiful person with a genuine and very contagious laugh and giggle that could make anyone smile.She always desired to be a mother and was blessed to have children. Joan was a constant "giving" person that was devoted to her family and enjoyed having them around her.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents Joseph and Rose Giglio, Hugh and Erma Donnelly and many aunts and uncles.
A Funeral Mass was concelebrated on August 12 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Orlando, FL.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 4, at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Weirton.
The Reverend Father Larry Dorsch will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Joan's children education fund in care of Todd Heiden or John R Donnelly or to the www.preeclampsia.org or your local animal shelter. All contributions will be appreciated.
FAMILY OF JOAN, SORRY TO LEARN OF THE LOSS OF YOUR BELOVED JOAN. SHE ALWAYS HAD A SMILE FOR EVERYONE. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF YOU. SINCERELY JERRY HAMILL
Mr. and Mrs. Donnelly, May the peace and grace of our Lord be with you at this time. Please know that Dr. Wilps and all the girls have you lifted up in prayer. Joan was and is a very special woman. Emily
To The Donnelly Family, Joan’s husband & chidren: I am truly sorry for the loss of your beloved Joan. May God’s light shine upon you now & always. Praying for your family, Marilyn
My heart goes out to all of you. I went to Madonna High School with Joan. She was always kind to everyone and always had a smile on her face. God be with you all in this time of hardship. My prayers are with your family and Joan.
Donnelly Family, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to all of you; you have a wonderful family. I went to Madonna with Joy; I can not imagine the pain you all are feeling; my prayers to each of you. God Bless You All.
Bob, Rose and family, My heartfelt sympathy to you for your loss. I send you love and prayers.
I won’t be at the Memorial Mass, my brothers & I will take care of Joan’s 2 children. Joan would not want this much fuss made over her, she would not want any of us to hurt as much as we do. I believe she has a higher purpose & that one day we will all be together again, the Donnelly Clan. I believe she is teaching God Bless the Bus Driver to all the saints and angels. She has meet Pope John Paul II who likes to be called Nana’s brother. Mom & Dad, I don’t have the words to express my sorrow for your loss. This is a cross for you to carry. Mary is with you always, she understands your pain as it is her pain as well. My love to all my siblings, we all have learned a lot about ourselves during this time of sorrow. I hope it will bring us closer as a family. To Sofie & Max & stepdaughter Cami, Joan’s love will continue through you. Todd, you are Joan’s soul mate, she is part of your life forever thru Sofie & Max. Love Aunt Ker Ker’10
So very sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. In high school she a had smile on her face and alaays has something nice to nice to say to everyone. You have my deepest sympathy and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
To the Donnelly and Heiden families, my deepest condolences to all for the loss of a great and loving person. Joan will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing her. She will live on through the smiles of her beautiful children. My prayers are with you all.
To the entire Donnelly and Heiden family, As you know I had the pleasure of knowing Joan for over 20 years. She allowed me into her life and shared with me her pain, her laughs, her food, her faith, and now her family. I will never forget her and her kindness. All my love, Holly
Joan – May your BIG brown eyes always be upon us! May your HUGE smile always be a part of us! May your LOVE always fill our hearts! May your LAUGHTER always be within us! Love you always and forever – Mom, Dad, Joy, Bobby, Dee-Dee, Kimmy, Kerry, Lynne, Beth, Mia, Todd, Camielle, Sofie and Max xoxoxo
My Aunt Joanie was always smiling and had a contagious laugh. She was my godmother and was the best godparent I could ask for. I miss her dearly, but I know she is in heaven looking down on us. I talk to her everyday and I know she is still by my side. I love her so much and the rest of my family. We love you Aunt Joan!! <3
REMEMBER-CELEBRATE-BELIEVE: I was blessed to be Joan’s big sister & will remember her incredible spirit of giving, celebrate her 43yrs with her family & believe i will see her again.I continue on this journey, pray i can be the best i can be in representing my sister & continue to count my blessings daily. I LOVE YOU JOANIE (MY LOVEY-DUBEY) #1 JOY
We All (Tim, TJ, Xavier and myself) will miss you and will always love you. You will always be my best friend and I can’t wait to be with you again.
Mia and the whole Donnelly Family I am so sorry to hear of Joans passing, I will always remember the days of Madonna, her taking Mia and I places and all ways having a big smile on her face, She always looked to the best in life, My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
There is a hole in my heart for my little sister who was such a giving person and loving mother. I can only begin to try to fill it with love and support for her family left behind, especially the little ones. From Little Women: O my sister, passing from me, Out of human care and strife, Leave me, as a gift, those virtues Which have beautified your life, Dear, bequeath me that great patience Which has power to sustain A cheerful, uncomplaining spirit In its prison-house of pain. Henceforth, safe across the river, I shall see forevermore A beloved, household spirit Waiting for me on the shore. Hope and faith, born of my sorrow, Guardian angels shall become, And the sister gone before me By their hands shall lead me home. I love you Joan and will see you one day in heaven. Dee-Dee
My aunt was one of the most beautiful people I have known. She was always smiling and had a passion for life. She was always thinking about others and not herself. I know that she is looking down on me from Heaven, supporting me in everything I do. I wish I could be in Weirton with my family at this time, but unfortunately I cannot be. I will be thinking of you all and praying. I love you Aunt Joan, I always have and I always will. I found this quote and I thought it was appropriate for my aunt and how she lived. “It’s difficult to understand the sum of a person’s life. Some people would tell you it’s measured by the ones left behind. Some believe it can be measured in faith. Some say by love. Other folks say life has no meaning at all. I believe that you measure yourself by the people who measured themselves by you.”
“Today I found a friend, Who knew everything I felt. She knew my every weakness, And the problems I’ve been dealt. She understood my wonders, And listened to my dreams. She listened to how I felt about life and love, And knew what it all means. Not once did she interrupt me, Or tell me I was wrong. She understood what I was going through, And promised she’d stay long I reached out to this friend To show her that i care To pull her close and let her know How much I need her there I went to hold her hand To pull her a bit nearer And realized that this perfect friend I found Was nothing but my mirror.” To my dear wife…I miss you more than words can ever describe. There isn’t a moment that goes by that I don’t think about you and the time we spent together alone and with the kids. I miss by best friend, my lover, my wife, our mommy. Always and forever…
I am so sorry to hear of Joans passing. Joan was a schoolmate of mine at St.Pauls and my prom date when we were juniors in high school. She was so nice to everyone and well liked by all. She will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her loved ones. Brian Macaluso
God must have need a special angel to be with Him in heaven–He chose a beautiful young woman with a heart of gold and a smile that radiated love. My heart hurts for each of you–Bob, Rose, and family. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you strength and comfort now and always, Love, Linda Kotur Mossgrove
Eternal Rest Grant to Joan Oh, Lord! May God embrace her in God’s Heart and May all of her family receive Peace, Love and Support Now and Always! Prayers and Love, Walter Jagela, Madonna Class of 1985
We wish to express our deepest sympathy upon the untimley death of Joan. Our prayers go out to the Donnelly family and Tom Heiden and Joan and Tom’s children, Sofie, Max, and Camilla. Joan who is now in heaven with Jesus and Mary and who we will see again when our time on this earth is over and we join her for eternity in heaven.
I was so sorry to hear of Joanie’s passing. We attended St. Paul’s and Madonna together and I will always remember her as a beautiful girl with a perfect smile and a loving heart! My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family at this time.
To the Donnelly and Heiden Families, My deepest sympathy on Joan’s passing. Having attended St. Paul’s with the entire Donnelly family, I have wonderful memories of you all. Please know that you will all be in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Mary (Carpini)Lyons
Wow!! Hearing about Joanie hit me like a ton of bricks. I remember her at school hanging out with Vanessa. Alittle on the cutting edge, but thats what made her unique. I share her love of animals. That is a special gift to appreciate what God has given to all. She will be missed without a doubt.
Kerry and the Donnelly Family, I am so sorry to her about the loss of your sister and daughter. May God be with all of you at this time and bless you with his love.
May you find comfort in the fond memories of Joan from friends and family. My deepest condolences.
Dear Donnelly Family, and Joan’s Family, My deepest sympathies to all of you. May God Bless, Sincerely, Eva Connelly
I just am so sorry for your loss…I know your faith will sustain you, and your memories will always be in your heart.
To my little sister Joan, You are missed by all of us and I will cherish the memories of you as one with life, love and laughter. Your warmth and your heart was felt by so many that it will be carried out by those you touched. I will be there in whatever way I can for your family and for our parents. I will share your life with my children so they will know you as a person of strength, courage and as a remarkable woman. I felt us embrace with love and forgiveness in your last days, I felt your spirit upon me and peace, thank you Joan for this. This feeling will be with me always and kept in my heart. Your spirit lives within me forever and our bond as family is alive again. I know in my heart I will reunite with you in Heaven as sisters again. You are our Angel of God, our Joan and I am proud to be your sister. I love you Joan and always have that has never changed, Love always your sister, Kimmy
I worked with Joan some 20 years ago. I recently tried to find her and was devastated to learn of her passing. I would describe her as fun, wise and very loyal. She was always a joy to be around. My prayers go to her family. God Bless!
Joan, I MISS YOU SO MUCH! It has taken me years to do this…You are thought of so much, you are with me in spirit and I know you are always helping me which I truly appreciate! You can never be replaced, your memory is with us always until I see you again in heaven. You are one of a kind, a rare gem that shines above all the rest. God must have really needed you, I do not blame him, you are an angel on earth and now one in heaven. We all miss you more than words can ever describe and for those that say things get better as time goes on, they are so wrong. I see that you are more needed as each day goes on, not just in my life, our parents, our entire family but especially with your kids. You lift the world and we all sing is what you did for everyone that knew you! You made everyday fun, you made the wind blow kisses when you walked in a room and the sun shined even in the storm. Your beauty lives in your kids and I know they would love to have their mom. You made magic just by being you, being creative, always giving. I know they are missing all of that and missing the special gifts you had, never forgetting the little details of what anyone loved, and your surprises how you loved surprising those you love with the little “what nots”, the gift that was for “just because” you wanted to and “just because” you loved making people feel loved and those gifts made a day full of hope, a day of dreams, a day to remember how special you are, how blessed we are to have a sister like you. We will all share your love, your kindness, YOUR BEAUTY, your special devotion to family with your children so they to can share with the world their MOTHER. The greatest gift from God is a MOTHER. You are the best gift to your children, you gave them everything because being a mom meant everything. Thank you for the two best gifts to all of us, we love you so much. Love forever and always, your sister, Beth Marie
Joan,
I MISS YOU SO MUCH! It has taken me years to do this…You are thought of so much, you are with me in spirit and I know you are always helping me which I truly appreciate! You can never be replaced, your memory is with us always until I see you again in heaven. You are one of a kind, a rare gem that shines above all the rest. God must have really needed you, I do not blame him, you are an angel on earth and now one in heaven. We all miss you more than words can ever describe and for those that say things get better as time goes on, they are so wrong. I see that you are more needed as each day goes on, not just in my life, our parents, our entire family but especially with your kids. You lift the world and we all sing is what you did for everyone that knew you! You made everyday fun, you made the wind blow kisses when you walked in a room and the sun shined even in the storm. Your beauty lives in your kids and I know they would love to have their mom. You made magic just by being you, being creative, always giving. I know they are missing all of that and missing the special gifts you had, never forgetting the little details of what anyone loved, and your surprises how you loved surprising those you love with the little “what nots”, the gift that was for “just because” you wanted to and “just because” you loved making people feel loved and those gifts made a day full of hope, a day of dreams, a day to remember how special you are, how blessed we are to have a sister like you. We will all share your love, your kindness, YOUR BEAUTY, your special devotion to family with your children so they to can share with the world their MOTHER. The greatest gift from God is a MOTHER. You are the best gift to your children, you gave them everything because being a mom meant everything. Thank you for the two best gifts to all of us, we love you so much.
Love forever and always, your sister, Beth Marie
I see your beautiful bright sparkling eyes and your contagious smile. I hear your giggle and deep belly laugh. How you made everyone around you happier. Many very fond memories of you and your great family. What an awesome amazing woman and person you are. You have been and are thought of often. I know you are missed so deeply by so many, but I also know with each thought they have of you, someone’s day is so much brighter and warmer. If only everyone could touch another persons life as you have so many, what a wonderful world it truly would be. May Todd and your children be blessed with your soft kind nature, your huge giving heart, your vast and deep love, and your infectious laughter. Thank you for touching my life as you have.