Donna M. Marnelakis

Donna M. (Samuelson) Marnelakis, of Danbury, CT, entered eternal rest on May 5, 2025, surrounded by family. She was the beloved wife of Peter Marnelakis who she shared 40 years of marriage.
Donna was born in Bronx, New York, on July 23, 1958, the proud daughter of the late Emil and Rose (Latronica) Samuelson. She was a graduate of Danbury High School and earned her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Education from Western Connecticut State University. Donna's passion for education led her to her elementary alma mater and began a forty-year career. Donna was a third and fourth grade teacher at St. Gregory the Great School. She was a leader in her Blue Ribbon school and devoted time outside of the classroom to serving on alumni committees, organizing the after school club, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Donna was a beloved teacher who exemplified service above self and touched the lives of hundreds of children and families.
Donna enjoyed taking weekend drives and always looked forward to her family vacations to York, Maine. Donna was a fan of HGTV and had a natural eye for design. For each accomplishment or milestone, regardless how small, Donna was there to celebrate with family and friends. Donna was also the proud godmother to four loved ones, a role she greatly treasured. Above all, Donna's greatest joy was being a mother to her loving daughter, Christine Marnelakis.
Donna exemplified such strength and determination as she fought a courageous battle with cancer for over two years. In addition to her devoted husband, Peter, and daughter, Christine, she will be greatly missed by her brother, Dwayne Samuelson, and his fiancé, JoAnn Knapp; her mother-in-law, Christine Marnelakis; brother-in-law, George Marnelakis and his wife, Michelle; and her sister-in-law, Argero Hamilakis and her husband, George. She is also survived by her niece and nephews whom she adored, Austin and Devin Samuelson, Lefteri and Christo Hamilakis, and Eftihi, Mihali and Xristina Marnelakis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday May 13th at 12:00pm at St. Gregory the Great Church. Burial in St. Peter Cemetery will follow.
The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday morning between the hours of 9:30 – 11:30am. Memorial contributions may be made in Donna's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.StJude.org).