Kathleen M. Donnelly

Kathleen Marie Donnelly, 81, of Wakefield, formerly of North Kingstown, passed away on Friday, September 29th. Born in the Bronx, New York, the beloved daughter of the late Edward and Margaret Gernon she was predeceased by John K. Wilson, her husband of 13 years. In 1974 Kathleen married James P. Donnelly of North Kingstown and remained his loving wife and companion for 28 years until his death in 2002. Together they raised their twelve children: Susan (Michael) Carter, John (Linda) Wilson, Kenneth (Mary) Wilson, George (Carol) Donnelly, Margaret Donnelly, Mary Donnelly (Mark Spangler), Patrick Donnelly (John Carbonaro), Francis Donnelly, Michael (Robin) Donnelly, Richard (Sharon) Donnelly and Eileen (Edmond Jr.) Godbout. She was predeceased by her son, James G. (Patricia) Donnelly.
Kathleen was Grandma, Mutti, Nana and Gram-Gram to her cherished 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. In mid-life she returned to school, became a Registered Nurse and was the director of nursing at the former Royal Manor Nursing Home in East Greenwich. Kathleen was an avid collector of Department 56 Dicken’s Village and all things Christmas. Her greatest joy was celebrating the holidays with her extensive family. Her love of travel brought she and her dear sister-in-law, Bernadette, to Ireland, Italy, France, Germany and other parts of Europe and the Caribbean. Kathleen was a member of the South Kingstown Senior Center where she especially enjoyed the writing club and sharing stories of her early life in New York City. She was a former communicant at St. Francis de Sales Church in North Kingstown and Christ the King Church in Kingston.
Funeral Friday October 6th at 9:15 am from the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., East Greenwich, RI with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. Veronica’s Chapel 1035 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, RI. Burial will be in the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter, RI. Calling hours: Thursday, October 5th from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers donations in Kathleen’s memory may be made to Autism Speaks via the web:www.autismspeaks.org or to a charity of the donor’s choice.