Obituary: Donna M. Cotrone, 65, of Meriden

MERIDEN, CT - (From Wallingford Funeral Home) Donna M. Cotrone, 65, of Meriden, passed away unexpectedly on December 18, 2020, in her home.

She was born in Meriden on May 28, 1955, to the late Donald Maloney and Florence (Abel Maloney) Draper.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Paul Cotrone, Jr.; her sister, Tracey Rook of Meriden; her brother Girard Draper, Jr. and his wife, Rhoda, of Higganum; her nephews, Victor Rook III, of Wallingford and, Daniel Rook and Benjamin Rook, both of Meriden; and her niece, Madeline Draper of Higganum.

Donna was predeceased by her step-father, Girard P. Draper.

Donna graduated from Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford in 1974. She was employed by Stop & Shop Supermarkets as a deli manager for over 30 years until her retirement in 2019. A long-time loyal volunteer to the Meriden Humane Society.

Donna was devoted to animal rescue and personally provided a loving home for countless cats-in-need over the course of her lifetime, the most recent being Dennis and Little Beagle.

She was known to the Meriden Soup Kitchen for her baked goods where she made weekly drop-offs as well as the Meriden Police and Fire Houses.

Among her, most favorite activities were spending time creating and selling stuffed animal pillows and other craft goods. She was a 25-year breast cancer survivor.

Funeral services will be held at a later date in safer times. In lieu of flowers gifts in her memory can be made to the Meriden Humane Society. 311 Murdock Avenue, Meriden, CT 0645 or to the Meriden Soup Kitchen, Inc., 460 Broad St, Meriden, CT 06450.

For online condolences please visit www.wallingfordfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext., Wallingford.