Obituary: Donna Marie Carini, 65; Formerly Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Donna Marie Carini, 65, of Syracuse, NY, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2023 after a year-long courageous battle with cancer. Born February 11, 1958, in New Haven, CT, she was the daughter of the late Dominic and Lorraine Carini of Wallingford, CT. She was born and raised in Wallingford before moving to Syracuse after college.

She graduated in 1976 from Lyman Hall High School in Wallingford, where she was class valedictorian and a student varsity athlete in several sports. Donna then graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1980, where she was inducted into the Notre Dame Monogram Club for varsity athletics. She went on to receive a Master’s in Education and Social Work from Syracuse University. She worked as a Social Services Director for 10 years with the Salvation Army and 24 years with Liberty Resources.

Donna enjoyed the beach and her summers at Martha’s Vineyard, the “Dames” trips to Notre Dame and Tanglewood, and loved bird watching, art, and cooking with Ina. Above all, she cherished spending time with her beloved family.

Donna leaves behind her sister, Cathleen Carini (Clinton) Muller of Glastonbury, CT; her brother, Michael Carini of Mt. Dora, FL; nieces, Carly (Frank) DeCusati and Michelle (Owen) Robbins; nephews, Christopher Muller, Christopher Carini, and Todd (Joy) Carini; several great nieces and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.

Calling hours will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N Main Street Ext., Wallingford, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will then be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 N. Colony St. Wallingford, CT. Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Wallingford.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Donna’s memory to Francis House, www.francishouseny.org, where she spent her final month surrounded by staff and volunteers as selfless as she was.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.