Donna Schmidt – May 13, 1935 to March 6, 2018

Donna H. Schmidt of Churchville, PA went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Abington Jefferson Health Hospice at Warminster.  She was 82.

Born in Gray, Iowa she was the wife of the late James G. Schmidt and the daughter of the late Peter and Ivah King Petersen.  She married Jim on January 25, 1958 until he passed on February 14, 2002.  This year was their 60^th anniversary.

Everyone who met Donna Schmidt says the same thing: “she’s a tough ol’ bird,” “she’s unstoppable,” “she’s a pistol,” “she always spoke her mind” and “she truly cared for people.”  That sums up Donna. 

Donna had a deep expressive heart that lavished her family with gifts, loving the time that she got to spend with her children (Troy & Tami), their spouses (Barbie & Jim), her grandchildren (Riley/Audrey, Brady/Alana, Carson, Jaret) and recently her great-grandchild (Penelope). 

She loved playing cards, which showed her competitive nature, but most of all, those games were times to gather with friends and talk about the world (okay let’s call it what it was---gossip).

Donna lit up every room she walked into, making her presence felt.  Whether it was a party, Wegmans, Chicos or church, Donna socialized with as many as she could, dropping one-liners with that twinkle in her eye.  You knew she was thinking something sly and devious, ready to offer her opinion or her humor.

She made friends everywhere she went.  If you were standing in line with her, she would find out where you were from, why you were there, your family history and your line of work.  She had a way making everyone feel comfortable and easy to talk to.

One other word always comes to mind when people think of Donna and that’s a “fighter.”  When her husband Jim was diagnosed with lung cancer, she took care of him and stopped smoking herself (after 40 plus years) completely cold turkey.  Patches and gum she saw as a weakness.  When Jim was diagnosed with M.S., Donna bought a lift vehicle to wheel his scooter around and drove both of them down to Florida to visit the grandkids.  When Jim was on hospice, Donna demanded he be moved home and took care of him around the clock.

With her husband gone, Donna didn’t sit around, pull the shades and mourn in isolation.  She got out and became a model of how people should grieve.  She joined more Weekender organizations, card clubs, widow groups and drove, drove, drove to gathering after gathering.  Donna took others to their appointments or picked them up at the airport.  I-95 didn’t scare this ol’ lady.

When she herself heard the words “lung cancer,” she knew it was her fault and gave chemotherapy and radiation a run, but when it slowed her down too much, she rejected another round and opted instead to embrace her 100 mph lifestyle over sitting in chairs and wasting away.  She hated being pushed around in a wheelchair and using a walker.  It slowed her down! She wanted to leave this earth sprinting. 

And that’s what she did.

The doctors gave her one and a half years to live, but Donna had more life in her.  Without treatment Donna doubled that prognosis and by the grace of God outlived almost all of her friends and went out her way.

Up to the last months of her life, she drove to the airport, flew to Orlando for Christmas and hung out with her Florida family.  She always drove up to New Jersey to see her youngest grandson Jaret, who she could spoil and love.

Life was a fast-lane for Donna, but eventually life forced her to hit the brakes.

The Friday before she died, Donna said “let’s do this” and said goodbye to all her kids and grandkids.  Oxygen was removed.  Pain medication given, but Donna continued to fight.  For five days on light oxygen, no food and no liquids, Donna gave death a final one-two, eventually succumbing Tuesday afternoon.

She had a quiet faith in God, evidenced by the Bibles and daily readings that surrounded her house.  She served at church as a greeter (perfect job, right) and helped out when needed.

Life will be a little quieter and a little slower without her, but life was a little better with her.

Donna is survived by her loving and devoted children: Troy E. Schmidt and his wife Barbie of Windermere, FL and Tami M. Haupt and her husband Jim of Succasunna, NJ.  She is also survived by her dear grandchildren: Riley, Brady, and Carson Schmidt and Jaret Haupt and her great granddaughter Penelope.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing on Saturday, March 10, 2018 from 11:00am until her Funeral Service, 12 Noon in Addisville Reformed Church, 945 Second Street Pike, Richboro, PA 18954. Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at https://giving.mskcc.org/.

Eleanor Messineo Frazza of Newtown died March 6, 2018 at Pennswood Village. She was 96.

Eleanor was the beloved wife of the late Everett J. Frazza.

Born in Clifton, New Jersey, she was the daughter of  the late Michele and Antonia Mason Messineo  and was the sister of the late Stephen Messineo and Josephine Messineo and Angeline Scangarello.

Eleanor had moved to Doylestown after living many years in Yorktown Heights, NY.  She was a library volunteer in both locations, and also volunteered at the Michener Museum in Doylestown.

Eleanor is survived by her children; Mark S. Frazza of Philadelphia, Christian N. Frazza of Helena, Montana, Elizabeth Ann Bewley of Dayton, Ohio and Janine Frazza of Watkinsville, Georgia. She is also survived by her nieces Anita and Nancy Scangarello of Clifton, New Jersey.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a gathering in Eleanor’s memory at 1:00pm on  Saturday, April 21, 2018 at the Bella Napoli Restaurant, 1640 Broad Street, Bloomfield, NJ 07003.

Mary F. Boland of Southampton passed away on Monday, March 5, 2018.  She was 94.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Elizabeth O’Rourke Boland.

Mary was a simple woman who was deeply devoted to her family.  She enjoyed traveling and countless trips with her family to the New Jersey Shore.  She was independent, funny, and so very special to her those who loved her.  She will be dearly missed.

Surviving are many loving nieces and nephews and her brother-in-law, Joseph Donnelly.  She also leaves behind her godson, Joey Donnelly to whom she was devoted.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her five siblings.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Friday, March 9, 2018 from 10:00 AM until her Funeral Mass 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Ave., Southampton, PA 18966.  Her interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Our Lady of Confidence Day School, 314 Easton Rd., Willow Grove, PA 19090.

Anita J. “Bunny” Shirley of New Hope passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018 after a short illness, surrounded by her family.  She was 77.

Bunny was the loving wife of Robert J. Shirley with whom she shared 22 years of marriage. 

Born in Newark, NJ to the late Jack and Sara Dellutri Valenti, she was preceded in death by her son, Jack Giampolo.

She attended Hillside High School and was the owner and operator of a hair salon in Whippany, NJ. She was also an extraordinarily successful real estate agent across New Jersey and Florida. She loved fashion and interior design and was sought out by clients throughout Florida. She loved traveling by cruise, and playing mahjong with her friends, but her greatest love was her grandchildren.

Bunny was the life of any party, known for her hugs, dance moves, inappropriate jokes, and telling anyone who would listen how great her children and grandchildren were.

In addition to her husband, Bunny leaves behind by her sons, John and Tom Giampolo and her daughters-in-law, Lori and Christin; her grandchildren Sara, Alison, Jack, Olivia and Tommy; her step-sons, Robert and Scott Shirley (Donna); and her step-grandchildren, Anthony, Nicholas, Joseph, and Natalie.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 10 AM to 12 PM at Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 E. Butler Ave. (at Sandy Ridge Rd.), New Britain, PA 18901.  Her Funeral Mass will follow  at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 1 PM, 5194 Cold Spring Creamery Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902. Her interment will be private.

May E. Fitzgerald of Warminster died Sunday, March 4, 2018 at her residence. She was 80.

May was the beloved wife of 58 years to James G. Fitzgerald Sr.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late William and Agnes (Fudala) Wise.

May was a former resident of Northeast Philadelphia before moving to Warminster in 1972.  She was a former Communicant of St. Anselm Church in Northeast Philadelphia and eventually with St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Warrington. In her leisure, she enjoyed crocheting and spending quality times with her family especially with Sunday dinners. She will be deeply missed by her family and by all who came to know her.

In addition to her husband James, May is survived by her two sons, James G. Fitzgerald Jr and his wife Cynthia of Maple Glen and Kevin Fitzgerald and his wife Susan Anti of Wilbraham, MA. She is also survived by her sister, Irene Graham of Warrington, her 8 grandchildren, Jillian Fitzgerald and her husband Joseph Cole, Brie Chyko and her husband Robert, James G. Fitzgerald III and his wife Stephanie, Alexandra, Robert, Dillon, Shane and Riley Fitzgerald and her great grandchildren, Emma, Ava and Nora Cole, James G. Fitzgerald IV, Jackson Cole and Declan Fitzgerald.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her viewing from 10:00am until her Funeral Mass 11:00am on Friday, March 9^th in St. Catherine of Siena Church, 321 Witmer Road, Horsham, PA 19044.  May’s interment will follow in St. John Neumann Cemetery in Chalfont.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Christ Home Benevolence Fund, 1 Shepherds Way, Suite 1, Warminster, PA 18974.

Jill S. Provenzano of Feasterville passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 3, 2018.  She was 46.

She was the loving and adoring mother and best friend of Sarah E. Provenzano.

Born in Taylor Mill, KY she was a daughter of Betty Ray Gosney and the late Thomas Gosney.

A graduate of Highland High School, Jill went on to earn her Bachelors degree in Communications from The University of Kentucky.  She went on to work in marketing for a medical supply company before settling down as a full-time mom.

To say that Jill enjoyed and loved her role as a mother would be an understatement.  Her daughter was the center of her world and the light of her life.  She was so proud of every accomplishment and enjoyed scrapbooking her and Sarah’s journey in life together.  From being a dedicated “Barn Mom” to eating out for countless lunches and religiously watching the Kentucky Derby each year, she was inseparable from her daughter and wouldn’t have had it any other way.  Being a Mom was simply it for her.

In addition to her daughter, Jill is survived by her sister, Cheryl Price (Daniel) of Franklin, TN; her niece, Molly Hoffman (Alex); and her former husband, John Provenzano.

In addition to her father, Jill was preceded in death by her nephew, Patrick McCafferty.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Thursday, March 8, 2018 from 9:30 – 11:30 AM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.), Richboro, PA 18954 and to her Funeral Mass at 12:00 PM at The Church of St. Andrew, 81 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940.  Her interment will be private.

Daniel J. McGarrigan, III, of Tampa, FL, died from cardiovascular disease on Friday, March 2, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Tampa.

Dan was born on February 28, 1977 in New York City, NY, and grew up in Newtown, Pennsylvania. He was the beloved son of Lynne Koehler McGarrigan and Daniel J. McGarrigan, Jr. and loving brother to Ryan and Ryan’s partner, Adolfo. Dan graduated from Council Rock High School in 1995. In 2000, he earned a BS in Secondary Education, History, from the College of New Jersey where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Rho.

Dan moved to Tampa following graduation and taught in the Hillsborough School District from 2000 to 2015. He loved teaching and made a positive impact on the lives of so many of the students and teachers he met along the way. At the present time he was taking computer courses and was excited about making a career change to IT.

Growing up, Dan spent every summer in Ocean City, New Jersey, where he and his family made some of their fondest memories. He loved the beach, the water and the boardwalk. He was active in wheelchair sports from elementary school through his high school years.

Dan was a “one-of-a-kind” person. He was a gentle, kind and thoughtful soul who was wise beyond his years. His smile and positive attitude were infectious and his wonderful sense of humor was second to none. He was courageous beyond belief and never let his physical challenges get in his way. Dan will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him.      

Dan’s family will receive condolences on Saturday March 17, 2018 from 9:00am until his Memorial Service 10:00am , at the North and Southampton Reformed Church, 1380 Bristol Road, Churchville, PA 18966. His interment will be held privately.

As Dan loved animals and was a supporter of service dogs for the disabled, his family asks that memorial gifts be made in Dan’s name to Canine Companions, 8150 Clarcona Ocoee Rd, Orlando, FL 32818.

Mary Jane Higgins  of Southampton Estates and formerly of Philadelphia died peacefully on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at her residence.  She was 86.

Born in Philadelphia, Mary Jane was the beloved wife of the late William A. Higgins, loving mother of the late Sandra Marie Higgins, daughter of the late Thomas B. and Margureite Pavonarius Gordon, and sister of the late Thomas “Duke”, Charles, and Joseph Gordon.

Mary Jane was the consummate homemaker whose life revolved around family.  She enjoyed being a self educated seamstress, but she ultimately cherished the time she spent with her children, grand children and great grandchildren.  Mary Jane will be greatly missed, but the memories she created for her beloved family will remain always in the hearts and minds.

Mary Jane is survived by her loving and devoted children: William A. Higgins and his wife Anne, Mary E. Henderlite and her husband Hunter, and Frederick W. Higgins and his wife Donna.  She is also survived by her sisters: Marguerite DiMartino and Regina Burk, 11 grandchildren and, 11 great grandchildren.

Services and Interment for Mary Jane will be conducted privately.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Salvation Army, 215 Appletree Drive Levittown, PA 19055.

Anna Marie Kissell of Richboro and formerly of South Philadelphia and Tacony, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Sunrise of Lower Makefield.  She was 98.

Anna was the wife of the late Bernard F. Kissell Sr. and loving mother of the late Bernard F. Kissell Jr.

Anna was a proud “Two Streeter” and dedicated Mummers Fan and very proud of her South Philadelphia up bringing.  She was employed as a Welder at the Philadelphia Navy Yard during World War II and after settling down and marrying, devoted her life to her husband and family.  She enjoyed travelling all over from the Poconos to Ontario, Canada but above all else was steadfast in her devotion to her family.  She will be dearly missed as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.

Surviving are her son Robert T. Kissell  and his wife, Eileen, of Ivyland; her grandchildren, Kimberly Massaroni (Chris) and Kristin Kissell (Alex Kinzey); and her great-grandchildren, Gianna and Olivia Massaroni; and her sister Catherine White.

In addition to her husband and her son, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Joseph & Francis Aster; and her sister, Maryellen Shelus.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 10:30 AM until her Funeral Mass 11:30 AM at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Rd., Holland, Pa 18966.  Her interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Anna’s memory to Crossroads Hospice at 527 Plymouth Road, Suite 225, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462, (484) 539-9240.

Salvatore D. Scicchitani of Ann’s Choice and formerly of Buffalo died peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at Abington Hospital-Jefferson Health.  He was 89. 

Salvatore was the beloved husband of 61 years to Betty Mergler Scicchitani, devoted father to Sandra, and beloved Uncle Sal to his nieces and nephews.

Born in Mount Carmel, PA he was the son of the late Frank and Brunina Vivino Scicchitani and brother to the late Bruno Sano and the late Alesandra Scicchitani.

He was a family man who was devoted to his wife and daughter. He loved singing in the opera, golf and fishing. He was the owner of the precision calibration company Gage Lab Corporation. Salvatore proudly served his country in the Army Airforce. What he will most be remembered for is his depth of love for others which he best expressed through his bear hugs. Therefore he will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to have known and loved him.

In addition to his wife Betty, Sal is survived by his loving and devoted daughter Sandra C. Scicchitani of Langhorne.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 3^rd from 10:00am until his Funeral Mass 11:00AM in Nativity of Our Lord Church, 625 W. Street Rd., Warminster, PA 18974.  His interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Ann’s Choice Benevolent Fund or Boheme Opera New Jersey.