Donna Marie Lydon

Donna Marie Lydon, 58, lived a life marked by the love of nature, family and service. She was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and died in Earlysville, VA on Monday, February 18, 2019 due to a long struggle with appendix cancer. Born to Dorothy and Martin Lydon, Donna was the oldest of four siblings, Laura Ristoff (Tim), Mark Lydon (Charlene) and Sue Ann Ferraro (Rich). She received a BS in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University. Here Donna’s love for service became deeply rooted in her faith, leading her to Montana after graduation with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Her love of nature took her to Humboldt State University to receive a Master’s in Environmental Resources Engineering. There she met and fell in love with Dave Maciolek. They were married in 1989 and moved to Davis, California where Donna worked as a water resources engineer at the Army Corp’s Hydrologic Engineering Center. She joined the Newman Center Catholic Community in Davis where she led women’s faith groups and adult education. She also served as a sign language interpreter while pursuing further studies in theology and ministry. When Dave’s job took them to Burlington, VT, Donna served as Director of Campus Ministry at Trinity College of Vermont. Their beloved son Kyle Lydon Maciolek was born in Vermont in 1998. When Dave’s work moved them to Taos, New Mexico, Donna began a practice as a Spiritual Director and started to explore the Episcopal Church. After moving to Charlottesville in 2006, they found a supportive community through Kyle’s Charlottesville Waldorf School. Donna found her spiritual home in Buck Mountain Episcopal Church under the inspiring leadership of Rev. Connie Clark. In 2012, Donna was called to serve as Lay Pastoral Leader for Good Shepherd of the Hills, Boonesville and, since 2013, has also served as a Buck Mountain Chaplain for the elder communities at Rosewood Village – Hollymead, Linden House, and Branchlands. Donna is survived by her parents, siblings, seven nieces and nephews and numerous beloved relatives. Donna’s family thanks UVA Cancer Center, especially Dr. Patrick Dillon and Nurse Navigator JoAnn Phillips. The Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Buck Mountain Episcopal Church, 4133 Earlysville Rd, Earlysville, Virginia 22936. The family will receive guests at the reception following the burial on site. Memorial contributions can be sent to Buck Mountain Episcopal Church (http://buckmountainchurch.org) or to Camp Kesem UVA which supports children through and beyond their parent’s cancer (https://campkesem.org/uva/). Kyle has enjoyed being a camper and counselor for ten years at Camp Kesem. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.teaguefuneralhome.com.