Ann Finnerty Donahoe

Ann Elizabeth (Finnerty) Donahoe died peacefully in her North Scranton home on Thursday, June 9 after a long happy life, surrounded by family, music and love.  For 32 years she was the loving wife of the late Joseph F. Donahoe who passed away February 21, 1997.

     Born on May 16, 1929, in Dunmore, Ann was the ninth child of the late James and Catherine (Connors) Finnerty.  Ann graduated from Saint Paul’s High School in 1947, and was employed by the Scranton Lace Company until her retirement in 1995.  She was also a longtime parishioner at Mary Mother of God Catholic Church, Scranton. 

    Loved by many because of her genuine interest in all who crossed her path, Ann was patient and kind, a great listener, an exceptional storyteller and a true and loyal friend.  Everyday life was a joy for her, especially when accompanied by her children and grandchildren for whom she took great pride.  Her time was always well spent, beginning with her morning routine of the crossword puzzle and the Scranton Times, and a phone call from family and friends always welcome, except if you called during March Madness.  She enjoyed a good practical joke, laughed easily, loved film, especially Hitchcock, and appreciated all types of music from Chopin to the Grateful Dead.  A trip to the ocean was always a delight; Ann probably walked over 1000 miles of coastline in her lifetime, often visiting the Jersey Shore, Newport, Nantucket, Maine, Miami, and NYC.  And as a lifelong Democrat, Ann never, ever missed an election, and made sure to instill a sense of civic duty in her three children.

     Above all she loved her family.  Nothing made her happier than sitting around a table or on a porch with family and friends celebrating holidays or just being together; and parties were always more fun if Ann was there.

     Ann is survived by her son Joseph P. Donahoe (and Alisa Blanchard) of Scranton, two daughters:  Nancy (and Jon Cohen) Donahoe of Brookline, MA, and Mary (and Daniel) Dolcetti of Waverly, three grandchildren:  William Cohen, Cha Cha Cohen, and Danny Dolcetti; sister-in-law Kathryn Finnerty of Liverpool, NY, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.  She is also survived by her two dear, life-long friends Olga Dano Smith and Delores Keating Wehrum.

     Ann’s passing marks the end of a generation of Finnertys, a large and loving family who enjoyed sharing stories of the “good old days”; their time together filled with laughter.  She was preceded in death by her sisters:  Mary Gilroy, Clare Donaldson, Margaret Ross, Natalie Haggerty, Catherine Quinn, Betty Kelly, Veronica Bryden and Theresa Healey, and her brothers:  James, Joseph, John, and Michael Finnerty; nieces Eileen Finnerty, Mary Finnerty, Maureen Lenart, and Patty Ann Springer and nephews Paul Gilroy and Michael Finnerty.

     Ann’s wish to remain cared for at home during her final days could not have been accomplished without the wonderful, compassionate caregivers who became her friends. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Michelle Klimek and Peggy Fletcher; Peter Tomassi of FirstLight Homecare, especially their aides Lisa Spory, Lorraine Pacheco, and Robin Williams.  Ann was under the care of Pennsylvania Home Health and Hospice for the last three years of her life.

     A visitation and funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 24 starting at 9am (Mass will begin at 10am) at the Mary Mother of God Parish (Holy Rosary) Church, 316 William Street, Scranton, celebrated by Reverend Cyril D. Edwards, pastor.  Family and friends are welcome.  There will be a private Interment at Saint Catherine's Cemetery, Moscow.

     For directions, or to leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website JenningsCalvey.com or contact Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 111 Colburn Avenue, Clarks Summit, PA  (570) 586-0811.

     Memorial Contributions may be made to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter,  967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411 or online at GriffinPondAnimalShelter.com click “Support Our Shelter” then “Remember A Loved One” and lastly the “Memorial Donation” button.

Jennings-Calvey is honored to serve Ann and her family.