Donna Jean Connelly

June 6, 2023 at home surrounded by her loving family. She had been under hospice care at home for a few weeks. She had exhausted all treatment possibilities as she fought so hard to stay in this world. She was strong, determined, brave and stubborn to the end. Donna was a loving mom of 4 children, grandmother to 12 and great-grandmother to 6, aunt to 36 nieces/nephews, many cousins and so many wonderful lifelong friends who all loved her dearly.

Donna arrived in this world in a small coal mining town in Beaverdale, PA on March 24, 1939. Her parents were R. Althea (nee Flick) Solomon and Paul (aka Casey) Solomon. She had 2 brothers Paul and Alan. In 1958 she met the love of her life, Dennis W. Connelly, son of Walter and Kathryn Connelly who were the founders of L. W. Connelly & Son crane rental company in Detroit, MI since 1943. Donna & Denny married on June 6, 1959 and were married until he passed in 1992. They had all kinds of fun adventures together. Boating and fishing were a huge part of their lives together. Dedicated hockey parents to the boys. Their love of family took them to many family reunions in Saskatchewan and MN where they were the life of the party and loved by all. The family business is now in the 4th generation of management and still doing very well thanks to the family dedication determined to keep it a success.

Kathryn and later Donna were the motivating forces, behind the scenes ladies, of the company.

Donna loved walking the beach of Hutchinson Island, FL in the winter looking for shells and sea glass.

Her passion in Livonia was digging in the dirt as she has mentioned many times in the last few weeks.

Donna enjoyed her trips to PA and OH to visit her extended family. She was a great bowler, loved to golf, was very passionate about her dog Ginger and cat Kiki, had so much fun playing cards, going to the casino and her ladies trips to Las Vegas, New York and New England. What a great sense of humor she had too!!

She is predeceased by her parents: Althea and Casey Solomon, her husband: Denny Connelly, her brother: Alan Solomon, Walt and Kathryn Connelly, her nephew /Godson, Scott Rowe, sister-in-law,

Helen and brother-in-law Jack Lezotte.

Donna is survived by her 4 children: Patricia (Jamie) Gruska, Mike (Mary Rothley Connelly) Connelly, Brian (Kim Ryan Sad) and Denny (Emily Ferguson Connelly). Brother: Paul (June Patrick) Solomon. Sister-in-laws Shirley (Alan) Solomon and Jean Connelly Rowe. Grandchildren: Angie Gruska, Kurt (Amber) Gruska, Andrew (Sophia) Connelly, Sarah (Jeremy) Emig, Erin (Preston) Connelly, Kaitlyn (Travis) Connelly, Ryan (Marisa) Connelly, Lauren (Alexander) Connelly, Brittany, Annalise, Heaven and Colton Connelly.

Great-grands: Ava Grace, Ozzy Gruska, Aurora and Asher Emig, Jace and Lucas Nightlinger.

Donna was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.

Visitation, Sunday, June 11, 2023 from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM with sharing of memories at 7:00 PM at Harry J. Will Funeral Home. Funeral mass, Monday June 12, 2023 at 9:30 AM (in state 9:00 AM) at St. Aidan Catholic Church. Committal service will be at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery located on 10 Mile Rd and Beech Daly Rd. immediately following the church services.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to go to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Connelly family.