Elvira Bridget Donaghy

Elvira Bridget Donaghy (nee Lasorsa) departed this earth for a life of eternal peace and happiness in the heavens above on September 9, 2023. Elvira valiantly fought a hard bout with cancer for several years, and during that time she remained fiercely independent until her final days.

Elvira’s three children: Richard, Christopher, and Amy, along with her son-in-law Sidney, sat bedside with their mother providing support, love, and comfort as her condition progressed. She also received numerous visits and calls from other family members and friends during her lengthy stay at the Douglas Center for Caring at Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville, Florida. The staff of the Community Hospice & Palliative Care Team at Baptist Medical Center, at all levels, took very good care of our mother for over 40 days. We graciously thank all who exhibited concern, kindness, comfort, and respect for Elvira’s situation and her family.

Over the last three years, Elvira was looked after by her daughter Amy and son-in-law Sidney. Through their love and assistance, Elvira was allowed to live the independent life she wanted in a lovely apartment with a view of the Saint Johns River in the beautiful neighborhood of San Marco.

Elvira’s Early Years:

Elvira was born on a warm autumn day on September 24, 1936. Her parents were Isabel Waters and Nicholas Lasorsa. She had two younger siblings named Isabel (living) and Bernadette (deceased).

Elvira was born in the inner city of Philadelphia and spent most of her early childhood and adult years in the Kensington neighborhood (K&A). Born during the Great Depression and growing up as a young child during WWII, times were difficult for working class families. Financial hardships were common for the Lasorsa's and other families of K&A. As a young girl, Elvira loved to window shop along Kensington Avenue looking at the beautiful shoes, clothes, and toys displayed in the various shops. She also loved to attend the Iris Movie Theater on the Avenue every Saturday afternoon. There she watched the westerns, cartoons, and WWII updates known as the War Newsreel. Here she met and bonded with her lifetime friends Lynne, Diana, and Betty.

Elvira initially began catholic school at Saint Bonaventure Parish at Percy and Clearfield Streets in the Fairhill neighborhood. Saint Bonaventure Church was designed in the style of classical Roman Catholic cathedrals throughout Europe and built by old-world craftsmen who dominated the neighborhood. The beauty and holiness of St. Bonaventure had a lasting impression on Elvira, and she spoke about it often throughout her life and in her final days. After a couple of years, her family moved to Kensington where she eventually attended Our Lady Help of Christians School and Church (OLHC). OLHC church was another old-world style church and was equally as beautiful as Saint Bonaventure only on a smaller scale. Elvira’s educational years and positive experiences in catholic school with the nuns would one day lead her back to a religious life as an adult.

Modeling Career:

Our mother was a beautiful woman her entire life. As a young girl, Elvira was graced with a blend of Irish-Italian good looks. She had dark hair and brilliant green eyes. Her mother, Isabel, was able to secure her modeling jobs with two major department stores in town: Wanamaker’s and Strawbridge & Clothier Department Stores where she would model the latest seasonal clothing fashions of the late 40’s and early 50’s for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Bulletin newspapers’ store advertisements. She also modeled for Coca-Cola Company. There wasn’t much compensation in modeling for Elvira, but she would earn some new clothes for her work, and this helped her parents because extra money for shoes and clothing was scarce.

Our Fondest Memories of Mom:

Elvira married Richard Donaghy in 1954 and she had three children between 1955 and 1959. Times were difficult for the family, but they managed to ensure their children had a happy childhood. Our fondest childhood memories of mom date back to the early and mid-60s when we lived on Clementine Street. None of us have any regrets about our early upbringing despite our parents’ lack of financial wealth. Holidays in our home always felt special and were memorable events thanks to Elvira’s skills as an artist and decorator.

Christmas and Easter were the most festive holiday memories. Mom would paint our front windows each year with images of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and the Easter Bunny. These paintings brought holiday cheer to our neighbors and passersby and made us especially proud of our mother. During Easter, Rick and Chris always had a new suit and Amy received a new dress. Elvira’s children were always smartly dressed for holidays and other special events.

Christmas Eve Mass at Our Lady Help of Christians was a very special and holy event for our family. The church was beautifully decorated, and the procession was one of high reverence for the Lord. After Mass, we’d go to bed with the living room Christmas tree partially decorated. On Christmas morning, we would awake to a spectacular presentation, compliments of our parents who stayed up late decorating and staging toys and other holiday treats for Santa’s big arrival. We are forever grateful for these precious memories of our childhood.

Elvira’s Biggest Achievement:

For most people growing up in Kensington, higher education was generally not an option. Once or if secondary education was completed, career options followed the family traditions of working in the many factories and mills that dotted the landscape of Kensington. Elvira set off in that direction early on and worked in factories and as a key punch operator.

In 1968, Elvira applied to a new 2-year program in nursing at Albert Einstein Hospital. Mom had three young children to take care of with some help from her working mother, and mostly her faith in Rick, the oldest sibling, to be responsible and watch over his younger brother and sister while mom she attended long hours at school. In 1970, Elvira earned her RN degree enabling her to climb into a higher paying career and out of Kensington. Earning her RN degree was a monumental achievement for any young K&A woman with or without children. Elvira became the first person of her extended family to graduate from college, which enabled her children to do the same. She broke the expected K&A cycle of a life bound as a laborer for herself, her children, and all her grandchildren.

Elvira was an exceptional nurse and one who held a genuine and deep regard for her patients and their family members. She was always generous and kind to people in need. In one of her more rewarding jobs as a nurse, Elvira worked for Operation Smile in Virginia Beach. However, she had a greater calling to serve the Lord in a different way other than nursing.

Elvira’s Higher Calling:

In Elvira’s late forties, she had a calling to seek the religious life. She became a devout member of Pius the Tenth, Pius the Fifth, and the Third Order of the Carmelites. Had she been eligible, Elvira would have entered the Convent. Her greater purpose in life was to live in the following of Jesus Christ, and that she did for nearly 40-years.

At Saint Ignatius Retreat House in Ridgefield, CT, Elvira established herself as a dedicated and efficient secretary and coordinator for the resident priests and retreatants who visited the retreat house. There she met many people who she remained friends with until the end of her life including Kathleen Giddings and family, Joanne Lynch, Father Waters, Father Gagnon, John Carr, and many others. Elvira also established herself as an effective and beloved teacher of catechism and eventually taught first through third grade education at the school associated with the church.

Eternal Life & Happiness:

Elvira, the Lord’s faithful servant, has gone home to rest in eternal peace and happiness in the heavens above surrounded by so many family members and friends. She will look over us always and pray for us until we all meet once more in the afterlife. She will be buried in her mother’s grave plot in Langhorne, PA.

Elvira was preceded in death by her parents Isabel (Waters) and Nicholas Lasorsa, her sister Bernadette Verna, and her nephew James Roach. Elvira is survived by her sister Isabel Timm, her 3 children and their spouses: Richard and Karen (spouse) Donaghy, Christopher and Cynthia (spouse) Donaghy, and Amy and Sidney (spouse) Lynch. She leaves behind 9 grandchildren and their spouses: Christiane and Dan (spouse) Gibbons, Caitlin Donaghy, Alexander and Samantha (spouse) Lynch, Ryan and Amanda (spouse) Donaghy, Allison and Dave (spouse) D’Alessio, Erin Donaghy, Shelby and Brennen (spouse) DeFiore, Sean and Jordon (spouse) Donaghy, and Lauren and James (spouse) Kominick; and 7 great grandchildren: Savannah, Juliana, Alexandra, Elsie, Kirby, Lorelai, and Nora.

She loved you all deeply! May God Bless everyone during this time of loss and sorrow. We will carry and pass on fond memories of Elvira Bridget Donaghy to generations beyond. Mom/Grandmom, we love you!

A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA 19056.

Burial will follow in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 (or give online at https://thefoundationcares.org/give/ ); or to Daughters of Mary, St. Joseph’s Chapel, P.O. Box 205, Round Top, NY 12473.