It is with great sadness that the family of Heidi Donnelly-Pesa announces her passing. Heidi died of respiratory failure on Tuesday, April 24th, 2018 after more than a year of battling devastating complications that developed after a surgery. She was 37 years old.
As a Kindergarten teacher at St. Joan of Arc School in Aberdeen, Heidi was greatly loved by students and co-workers alike. Heidi spent her short life selflessly helping others, especially children. She has brightened countless lives and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.
Heidi is survived by her husband, Michael Pesa, mother, Debbie Donnelly, father, Joel Donnelly and his wife, Phyllis, sister, Annie Hoyt and her husband, Jimmy, and grandparents John (“Buzz”) and Betty Bilzer. She will be forever loved and remembered by them as well as by numerous aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and other relatives. Heidi is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Russ and Polly Gill.
A Memorial Mass for Heidi will be held on Saturday, May 5th at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 222 S. Law Street in Aberdeen.
In lieu of flowers, her family is requesting that donations be made to a scholarship fund that is being created in Heidi’s honor for children who want to attend school at St. Joan of Arc but cannot afford the tuition. Those who wish to do so may send donations to St. Joan of Arc School, 230 S. Law St. Aberdeen, MD 21001 and write “Heidi Donnelly-Pesa Scholarship Fund” on the notes line.
