Patricia Lynn Donatelli

Patricia “Trish” Donatelli of Mount Airy, Maryland passed away peacefully on February 17, 2024.  A wife, mother, “Nonni”, daughter and friend, she was a blessing to everyone that she came in contact with.  To describe Trish in one word, she was a fighter.  

Trish is survived by her husband, Robert “Bob” Donatelli, her daughters, Nicole McNamara and Jennifer Donatelli, five grandchildren, Madelynn McNamara, Brendan McNamara, Hunter Zinchiak, Abel McNamara and Asher McNamara, son-in-law’s Peter McNamara and Tom Zinchiak, as well as many, other family members and friends.  

Born to Evelyn and Pascual Venuti in Watsonville, California, she was an only child and always dedicated to her parents and being a selfless human being.  In her younger years, she was able to travel the world with her friends, and would talk about her adventures abroad visiting different countries and talking about her journey and times she shared with others.

Trish met her husband, Bob, while working at the IRS in Philadelphia.  They were happily married for 46 years, a lifetime of love and adventure. They built a beautiful family together and experienced many memories in their 46 years as a married couple.  From raising their 2 daughters, to traveling to always spending time with family and grandchildren, they were blessed with a marriage that many people dream about. 

A lover of the summertime weather, the beach, pool, and anything related to palm trees and warm breezes, Trish also enjoyed anytime she was spending time with her family and friends.  She spent many years at the beaches of Nags Head, soaking up the sun and building networks and friends wherever she was.  When not enjoying the warm weather, you could always find Trish up for a lunch date with her friends or shopping and enjoying whatever finds Nordstrom had to offer!  She also enjoyed traveling to South Carolina beaches on occasion and traveling and spending countless hours with her grandchildren.  

While Trish was dealt a difficult card with her health over the last 10+ years, she took every health challenge head on, despite whatever it may have been.  Between breast cancer, blood cancer, kidney disease and everything in between, no matter what she was going through, she persevered, had grit and still managed to greet everyone with a smile and always caring about how they were doing versus what was going on with her.  She was truly a fighter and has taught her family and all those around the true meaning of positive attitudes conquering over all.  Her optimistic energy is what carried her through the most difficult times and she took each obstacle thrown at her with a “whatever it takes” attitude because she never gave up.  

While we are deeply saddened by her loss, we are at peace knowing she is at peace and looking down on all of us smiling and laughing as she says “hey doll, how you doing?”  We know she is sitting somewhere on a beach relishing in the waves, soaking up the sun, or poolside talking with her friends up there as she drinks some iced teas and gossips about the happenings in the neighborhood. 

The family will receive friends and family on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 10:00am to 11:00am at St. Michael's Catholic Church at Poplar Springs, 1125 St. Michael's Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771.  A Mass will follow at 11:00am.  Father Paul Sparklin will officiate.  Interment will be private with the family at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made in her name to the American Kidney Fund. Please visit secure.kidneyfund.org.