Veronica Egan Donato

Born to Veronica Mangan Egan and Joseph John Egan in Brooklyn, NY on August 13th, 1949, Veronica lived in Florida and Virginia before moving to New Orleans in 1960 when both of her parents became professors at Loyola University. She graduated from Archbishop Chapelle High School in Metairie, LA in 1967. Veronica participated in school plays, was an avid reader, and spent summers at Camp St. Benedict in NJ.

Veronica attended Loyola University pursuing a major in education and graduated in 1971. After a year of teaching at Archbishop Chapelle High School she pursued her master’s in education at Seton Hall University and graduated in 1973.

Ronnie married the love of her life, Tony, in 1974 and they lived in Fort Leonard Wood, MO where Tony served as a Captain in the Army. In 1977, they returned to NJ where they would call Sparta their home for over 27 years.

Ronnie first worked at Reverend Brown school in Sparta, before teaching student’s bedside and eventually starting Quality Learning Tutorial Services where she tutored and supported a countless number of students and families. Shortly thereafter, Ronnie became a guidance counselor and eventually the Director of Guidance at Pope John XXIII High School where she worked for over a decade. She cherished being part of the PJ family and the Sparta community. Ronnie never missed a ball game, Irish Feis, concert, play, and was always the life of the party and one of the last to leave. She always enjoyed company, telling stories, or sharing advice. She would say making a long story short was not a thing.

Ronnie loved her Irish heritage and family with tremendous passion. She was the family unifier and historian. Her family meant the world to her, and she enjoyed planning many gatherings with them such as the cousin’s parties, birthdays, and showers. Most of all she loved spending time with family and friends at the Jersey shore, specifically, her beloved Long Beach Island.

Ronnie leaves behind her loving husband of 50 years Tony Donato, her son Joseph (Alana) of Freehold, NJ, daughter Kathleen Finizio (Joe) of Randolph, NJ and son Nicholas (Julia) of Damascus, MD. She also leaves four grandchildren Sean Egan Donato, Aidan Joseph Finizio, Keira Egan Finizio, and Owen Brendan Donato. Ronnie was the eldest of nine brothers and sisters-Peter Egan (Debbie), Mary Byars,, Michael Egan (Lucille), Ni'Aodagain (Teresa), Regina Capella (Jack), Chris Egan (Sondra), and John Egan (Elizabeth) and the late Patrick (Ceil) . She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ronnie and Tony led a beautiful life together which included summer vacations to LBI and doing everything and anything for their children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was affectionately known as "Nanie". Telling them stories and reading books with them was a joy. Finally, Duchess, her first and only dog, was truly a miracle for her, always providing her with kisses and comfort.

The family would like to give a special thank you to her doctors over the years. They would also like to give special recognition to the ER, ICU, and Hospice medical teams of Morristown Medical Center. Thank you to the many families and friends for all your support, always.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4pm to 8pm on Thursday August 21st at Goble Funeral Home in Sparta, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Pope John XXIII Student Assistance Fund or Waldo's Pet Rescue by clicking the links below.