Cynthia Donnelly

Mary "Cynthia" Donnelly of Boca Raton returned home to the Lord on Thursday, July 16, 2020.  She was 84 years old.    Cynthia was born in New York City to parents William and Mary Jane (nee Meagher) Dominick.  Cynthia began her life in New York, followed by education at Marywood Seminary and Marywood University in Scranton Pa.. After finishing college Cynthia moved to Long Island to start her teaching career, then one beautiful summer in the Hamptons she met the love of her life John Donnelly, They married and began a life full of fun and many adventures relocating to Boca Raton, Florida in 1971.  They summered in Portuguese Cove, Nova Scotia where they built a home on the ocean leaving Boca Raton when school finished and returning before school started.  She was a math teacher at St Joan of Arc school for over 21 years, leaving her impression on many students who often referred to her as their favorite math teacher. One of Cynthia’s biggest commitments while at St. Joan of Arc was The St. Jude’s Hospital for Children Math-a-Thon often winning awards for the most money raised by her classes each year.

Cynthia’s main passion and love was her family, “Mema” to many either blood related or who became part of the family through love. Her home was full of joy and laughter making everyone feel welcome and her St. Patrick’s Day parties were not to be missed. Her hobbies included traveling, playing bridge and Scrabble with friends, reading, or just relaxing in her backyard either in Nova Scotia or Boca Raton.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Joseph Donnelly.  She is survived by her loving children:  son Ardsley (Marni) Donnelly and three daughters: Anne Donnelly, Joan (Lou) Morris, and Mary Jon Donnelly.  She also leaves behind precious grandchildren: Stephanie Morris, Louis (Stephanie) Morris, Katie Anne (Morgan) Morris Eisnaugle, Meaghan Morris, Taylor Donnelly and Aidan Donnelly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 10:30am at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.  She will be laid to rest at the Boca Raton Cemetery.  She will be missed but has left a strong imprint of her gracious character on many she met. May she rest in peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations in her memory go to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

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