Donna Rose Latrenta Conti

With deep love and profound sadness, we announce the passing of our cherished mother, Donna Rose Latrenta Conti, who passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025, surrounded by her children and fiancé.

She is the beloved mother of Joseph "Joey" Conti and partner Mike Millan; Daniel "Danny" Conti and wife Alissa (Scalise); and Kathryn "Katie" Tiene and husband Micky, and the cherished fiancée of Dale Bowers. She is survived by her mother, Rosemarie Latrenta, and her late father, Donald; her siblings Richard Latrenta and wife Laura, Lisa Latrenta, and Susan Mullin and husband Tom; as well as her beloved nieces, nephews, godsons Thomas and Nicholas, great-nephews, and granddogs.

Donna was born in Saddle Brook, NJ, on June 25, 1956, where she graduated from high school. She later married her former husband of 34 years, Joseph Conti, and raised their three children in Vernon, New Jersey, where she resided for nearly 30 years. While raising her children in Vernon, she was a staple employee at the Mixing Bowl Deli and a resident of the Pleasant Valley Lake community, where she built her life and made lifelong friends. She was also a special education teacher at Walnut Ridge Elementary School and a CCD teacher at St. Francis de Sales Church. Before retiring, she worked as a medical office specialist at Skylands Pediatrics (formerly Sparta Pediatrics). She later moved to Milford, PA, where she resided with her fiancé and biggest supporter, Dale.

Donna adored her children; they were her greatest joy and source of strength. She was endlessly proud of their accomplishments, and her love for them was unwavering. While she longed for grandchildren, her granddogs-Peter, Ellie, Fala, and Birdie-held a special place in her heart. Whether caring for pets of her own, like her beloved late Maggie, Missy, and Jake, or welcoming any creature that needed kindness, she found comfort, peace, and companionship in their presence. Animals were drawn to her gentle nature, just as people were. Though she was small in stature, Donna possessed a heart that seemed too big for the body that carried it. Her affection was sincere, and her spirit carried a strength that far exceeded her height.

Fond memories of things Donna loved include sunsets, music, caring for "her" deer, cooking, ice, candy, spending time with family and friends, reading, puzzling, playing scrabble, and classic movies-but mostly spending time chatting over several cups of coffee at a kitchen table, which was mostly hazelnut creamer. She was a lover of all things nature and was happiest by any body of water or sitting outside surrounded by her plants and flowers-she had an incredibly green thumb.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Friday, December 12, 2025, at Di Chiara Funeral Home, 300 Main St., Lodi, from 4–8 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday December 13, 2025, 11:30 a.m. at St. Philip the Apostle R.C. Church, 488 Saddle River Rd., Saddle Brook. Private cremation to follow.

Directions and condolences may be found at www.dichiarafuneralhome.com.