Rose Mary Donnelly

Donnelly, Rose Mary (Giglio), 84, of Buffalo NY, a former long-time resident of Weirton WV was greeted by Our Lord and the Mother Mary on Sunday November 10th, 2019 surrounded by her loved ones. Rose was preceded in death by her husband, John (Bob) Donnelly on February 2nd, 2016 and her daughter, her eighth child, Joan Marie Donnelly on August 6th, 2010. Rose was born September 30th, 1935 in Follansbee WV to Giuseppe and Rosa (Cortese) Giglio. She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings which include: Nick Giglio, Anthony Giglio, Jackey Giglio, Katherine Swearingen, Mary Giglio, Pauline Pavlik, Joseph “Chich” Giglio, Jenny Giglio, Carmen Giglio, Patricia Sallee and survived by Valentino Giglio, Christina Costain and Peter Giglio. Her surviving in-laws are Richard (Sandy) Donnelly, Cheryl (Tom Capek and Debbie (Larry) Savage. Rose was baptized at St. Anthony’s Church and graduated from St. Anthony’s Grade School. She graduated high school from Steubenville Catholic Central in 1953. It was there that Rose met the love of her life Bob Donnelly. Rose and Bob were married June 26, 1954 after Bob returned from the Korean War. As a dedicated military spouse, Rose accompanied Bob as he attended Airborne Training to Ft. Campbell, KY (1954-1956) where their first child (Joy) was born. Rose also accompanied Bob to Augsburg, Germany (1956-1959) when Bob was stationed with the 11th Airborne, by traveling across the ocean by boat with daughter in tow. It was during their time there that they had their second child John. Rose returned to the US when Bob was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC as part of the 82nd Airborne (1959-1960), where their third child, Diana, was born. After returning to Weirton where Bob worked at the Weirton Steel Mill, their family grew with 6 more children to form the Donnelly Clan. They became dedicated members of St. Paul’s Parish with all nine of their children attending St. Paul’s Catholic Grade School. Rose continued to support Bob’s military career as he left the US Army after 8 years but later enlisted in the Navy Reserves for an additional 18 years. Rose was honored to be the wife of Bob, a two-time Bronze Star recipient and war hero also receiving the Combat Medic Badge for his role in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill during the Korean War. She was also proud to be the daughter of Gold Star parents, both immigrants from Italy, who gave the ultimate sacrifice to their new country that they loved with the loss of their son, Nick, during his service in WWII. Rose was a devoted and loving mother and is survived by her eight remaining children, Joy (Don) Smith of Buffalo, NY; John Robert Donnelly Jr (David Stoneback) of Orlando, FL; Dr. Diana Donnelly-Roberts of Gurnee, IL; Kimberly (Steve) Brown of Crownsville, MD; Kerry Donnelly of Orlando, FL; Lynne Hileman of Greensville, SC; Beth (Rob) Arvey of Baltimore, MD and Mia Donnelly of Dayton. OH. Rose was also a devoted and loving grandmother and was affectionately known as “Nana” to her 15 grandchildren: Bradley and Ryan Hileman; Megan and Katie Roberts; Zachary (Heather) Smith, Danielle (Kevin) Ellis and Courtney Smith; Carolyn, Emily and Nat Brown; Timothy John (TJ) and Xavier Donnelly; Sofie and Max Heiden (Joan and Todd’s children) and Robbie Arvey. In addition, Nana was blessed to have great-grandchildren: Lawrence Menard; Olivia Smith and Kevin and Jamison Ellis. Nana and Pap (Bob) absolutely cherished their time with family and instead of traveling the world they visited their many children scattered across the east coast and there for either the birth, baptism or special event for each grandchild. Rose also treasured her Catholic faith and was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Church. Rose and Bob became close, personal friends with Fr. Phllip Bonvouloir, Fr. Harold Moore and Fr. Larry Dorsch over the years as parishioners. She supported Catholic Charities, various Orders and Missionaries. She was dedicated to the Divine Mercy, the Blessed Mother, praying the rosary and living the beatitudes. And it was her faith that sustained Rose through the difficult times. After Joan’s passing, Rose became an advocate to raise awareness to the symptoms of pre-eclampsia as she was a victim to this disease herself as well as affecting her daughters Mia and Joan. A Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, December 7th at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Weirton with the Reverend Fr. Babu Joseph Elamturuthil as celebrant with burial to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Follansbee, WV. This date is the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which reflects Rose’s dedication to the Mother Mary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 140 Walnut St, Weirton, WV 26062, the Pre-eclampsia Foundation or the National Kidney Foundation. Please share tributes and memories of Rose with the Donnelly Clan at www.grecohertnick.com.