Mary Ann Nappi Donahue

Mary Ann Nappi Donahue, 63, of West Scranton, died Friday at Holy Redeemer Hospital, Meadowbrook, Pa., surrounded by the ones she loved the most, after a short, courageous fight against cancer. She married her high school sweetheart and this year, she and her husband, Joseph, would have celebrated 40 years of marriage.

Mary Ann was born in Scranton, daughter of the late Peter and Concetta Ruggiero Nappi, was a member of St. Ann's Basilica Church, and a graduate of West Scranton High School, class of 1972. Always one of West's most devoted supporters, she was proud to return to West working as a paraprofessional. Dedicated and generous with both her time and resources, Mary Ann was loved and admired by both her students and fellow faculty members. Her absence from the school and her classroom over the past several months was deeply felt, as she was a tremendous asset to those who worked closely with her and she will be sorely missed.

Her unwavering love of family, Mary Ann's greatest pleasure in life came from being the consummate mother to her beloved three boys and was blessed to be present for the birth of her first grandchild, Delaney, in October, just prior to her diagnosis. She always touted her children as her greatest accomplishment in life and would beam with pride and joy when she spoke of them. Everyone who knew Mary Ann, loved her. There was little she wouldn't do for someone in need, but when it came to her family, especially her children, she was known as a force to be reckoned with.

Mary Ann will be remembered with love by her sons, Sean Donahue and companion, Nicole Petrovsky, Moscow; Casey Donahue, Wilkes-Barre; and Adam Donahue and wife, Tori and their daughter, Delaney, Dunmore; sisters, Chickie Wandalowski and her husband, Ken, Taylor; and Celeste Gilmartin and her husband, Edward, Scranton; a brother, Pat Nappi, Dickson City; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Saturday from the Donahue Funeral Home, 303 S. Main Ave., Scranton, with Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Ann's Basilica, celebrated by the Rev. Francis Landry, C.P., pastor. Those attending the Mass on Saturday are asked to go directly to the church.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, as a lifelong West Side supporter, Mary Ann had asked that memorial contributions and expressions of sympathy be made to the WSHS Student Assistance Fund, 1201 Luzerne St., Scranton, PA 18504 (570-348-3616).