Donna L. Saunders

Donna Lee Reilling Saunders, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away at home, surrounded by her loving family, on December 25, 2019. She has officially become a beautiful Christmas Angel! She was born on July 31, 1961, to the late Robert and Sonia Reilling. Donna was predeceased by the love of her life, Tommy Saunders, to whom she was married for over 38 years before his death. They were reunited in Heaven on Christmas Day, and we are sure Tommy was jumping up and down with joy, drum sticks in hand!

Donna was loved by all her family and friends. She was the life of the party and always so giving and caring. There was no one in the world that she couldn’t help. If anyone needed anything, the answer was call Donna (a/k/a “the to go to person”). Many will remember Donna from all her involvement in DAYO (Danbury Athletic Youth Organization). She loved her volunteer work there, from being the team mom for her kids, to running DAYO Bingo kitchen, to reuniting with the program to be close to her family and becoming the Commissioner of Concession stand. Donna loved nothing more than entertaining and being with family and friends. She cooked for the masses with love, from family feasts to backyard BBQ’s for 200 people, but she loved nothing more than being in the kitchen baking and crafting with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and she spoiled them in every way possible. The amount of love they shared is unimaginable. Donna was inseparable from her family. Everyone always knew they could rely on Grandma – she was always supporting her late husband Tommy at all his shows, and never missed any of her children and grandchildren’s events!

Donna worked for Danbury Hospital for over 23 years. She managed multiple departments including Sterile and Central Supply, the docks, Warehouse, Laundry and the Dental Clinic. She also started equipment programs and worked on getting the robots in the hospital. She was always working on a project. She then took on new adventures as the Director of Operations for her Branch with Medline Industries. Donna treated everyone like they were family. She spoiled her employees with special fun, like work parties, Casino trips and dinner cruises up and down the Hudson River. Donna helped and touched so many over the years. God has received the best helper possible. Our world will not be the same without her.

Donna is survived by her children: Jason, Dawn, Jennifer and husband Lloyd, Michael, Ryan and wife Marquitta; grandchildren Samantha, Mathew, Rykeese, Mikey, Rysaiah, Bella and Sophia; and brothers Bobby and wife Cheryl, and Tommy. Donna was proceeded in death by her parents Robert and Sonia, and her beloved husband Tommy.

Calling hours will be held at the Green Funeral Home in Danbury on Friday January 3, 2020, between the hours of 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. A Mass will be held Saturday, January 4, 2020, at St. Gregory the Great Church in Danbury at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Bethel CT.