Domenica "Donna" Fanelli

Domenica (Donna) Fanelli (nee Debenedictis) was called home to the Lord on October 18, 2026, at the age of 87 after a battle with Dementia. Her final moments were spent peacefully surrounded by family and close friends.

A loving wife to her Pre-deceased Soulmate and Husband of 47 years, Rocco Fanelli, loving Mother to Frank Fanelli and Maria Fanelli Riordan, Mother In-law to Nancy Nardo Fanelli and William Riordan, Grandmother to Rocco, Carmela, Frankie Fanelli, Sophia and Olivia Riordan and Great-Grandmother to Lia Grace. Beloved Aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Donna was born in Grumo Appula, Bari (Italy). She has now reunited in Heaven with her parents Giovanni and Maria Civitano DeBenedictis. Her Pre-deceased Sisters: Marietta, Rosetta, Franca, Giuseppina, Mariuccia, and Brother Pinuccio.

At 22 years old Donna arrived in the United States in 1962 on the SS Leonardo da Vinci from Bari, Italy. She moved in with her sister Mariucci and brother in-law Rocco and worked as a seamstress in a factory. Soon after, she met her Soulmate Rocco and were married December 15, 1962. They had their first child in 1964, and Donna stopped working and became a homemaker taking care of her family working odd jobs occasionally. They lived in Gravesend Brooklyn, NY for 47 years until Rocco passed. Donna remained in the same house for an additional 10 years, eventually selling her home and moving in with her son Frank in Lackawaxen, PA. Frequently returning to NY to visit and stay with her daughter Maria and visit with friends and family.

Donna’s biggest passion was the love she had for her family and friends. She loved cooking, baking, sewing and gardening.

Donna was a devout Catholic. Next to her family the Church was most important to her. She was a long time Parishioner of Our Lady of Grace Church in Brooklyn and then after moving to Pennsylvania, a parishioner of St. Ann Shohola Church.