Donna Marie Pezzullo, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, died Oct. 2, at her beloved home in Mohegan Lake following a prolonged illness. She was 87.
A resident of Mohegan Lake for 56 years, she was born Nov. 12, 1938 in Port Chester, NY to William Matturro and Helen Mangini. She graduated from Port Chester High School in 1957 and The Wood Secretarial School in New York City. She worked at Stepinac High School in White Plains for a few years.
On Sept. 29, 1963, she married Richard Anthony Pezzullo at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Port Chester. They were married for 61 years.
She was a homemaker who took immense pride where she lived, making sure the inside and outside were immaculate. She would also, on occasion, babysit young children, which brought her much joy.
Prior to being diagnosed with a rare neurological disease that left her bedridden for more than 35 years, Mrs. Pezzullo enjoyed tennis, aerobics, and dancing. She always loved listening to music, especially Elvis Presley and Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. In fact, her bedroom was somewhat of a shrine to Elvis, with figurines, plates, posters and other collectables.
Mrs. Pezzullo had a sharp wit, earning the nickname “Donna Rickles” from loved ones. She was very strong-willed and displayed tremendous courage and fortitude throughout her illness.
She is survived by her three loving children and their spouses, son Rick Pezzullo and his wife Jacqueline; daughter Maria Chadeayne and her husband Tom; son John Pezzullo and his wife Stacie; grandchildren, Michael Ruff, Dr. Cheryline Pezzullo and her husband Dr. Mark Makiling, Dr. Rick Pezzullo and his wife Dr. Allyse Suganuma, Derek Pezzullo and Abigail Pezzullo; great-grandsons, Lorenzo Makiling, Mateo Makiling and Antonio Pezzullo; step-grandchildren Nicole Kyzer, and Thomas Joseph Jr., Christopher and Crystal Chadeayne; and one brother, Frank Matturro.
She was predeceased by her husband, who died Feb. 28, 2025 and was her tireless caregiver for most of her illness.
A wake will be held Friday, Oct. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Yorktown Funeral Home in Shrub Oak. A Funeral Mass will take place Oct. 10 at 11:15 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Shrub Oak, followed by burial at Hillside Cemetery in Cortlandt.
The family would like to extend its sincere thanks to Mrs. Pezzullo’s primary Hospice health aide Derene, nurse Jean and others who provided invaluable support over the last several years.
