Una Grace Donnelly, of Richboro, PA died unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. She was 17 years old.

The beloved oldest daughter of Diane T. and Robert L. Challender, and Bikki and Conor Donnelly, Una was born in London, England and raised in Richboro.

As a first child, Una, relished her role as big sister and mentor to Paulien, Molly, Eva and Bobby. Meeting her, people immediately felt her engaging personality, noted her maturity and were impressed by her conscientiousness. Underlying all these, she was a warm, kind and gently humorous young lady with a flair for friendship - a central figure in the life of family and friends.

From a very young age Una demonstrated a real flair for school and academic studies. This continued through junior, middle and high school where she attained many achievements and awards, such as being named a National Merit semi-finalist and a member of several honors societies. She was a diligent student, enjoying the challenge of learning new things and testing traditional approaches to established views. Her ability to grasp and retain details was incredible and she was able to hold her own in debates and discussions with people much more senior. She enjoyed that immensely.

Una had a great interest in politics, journalism and art. She was a champion of the underdog and a tireless advocate for the disadvantaged.  Her goal for school was to study towards a law degree with the hope of becoming a practitioner of Constitutional Law. Her desire was to continue her pursuit of justice for those who needed it most.

Outside of her academic life, Una enjoyed other activities including the arts, photography, and skiing. She got great satisfaction learning the basics in each of these areas and then improving her skills through hard work and practice. Una enjoyed putting her skills into practice on the stage, track and slopes. She was always strong, always graceful.

She enjoyed her many trips to Ireland and spending time with both her Irish families, most especially her cousins closest in age with whom she formed a special and everlasting bond. She was a beautiful, affectionate and considerate girl whose patience and quirky humor will live forever in the hearts of her whole family. 

In addition to her parents, Una will be sadly missed by her brother Bobby and her sisters, Paulien, Molly and Eva. She will be lovingly remembered by both her maternal and paternal grandparents; her great grandmother, “Gram”; her aunts, uncles, cousins; her dog Ginger; her friends at Council Rock South - in particular, Alex, her best friend - and those whose lives she touched.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Una’s visitations on Monday evening, November 12, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Joseph A. Fluehr, III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954; and on Tuesday morning, November 13, at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 654 Hatboro Rd., Richboro, PA 18954  from 9:00am until the start of her Funeral Mass at 10:00am Una’s interment will follow at Union Cemetery, Richboro, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Una’s memory may be made to the Brain and Behavioral Research Foundation at 747 Third Avenue; 33^rd Floor, New York, NY 10017,

https://donate.bbrfoundation.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1

or to the American Civil Liberties Union at https://www.aclu.org/donate-aclu.