Donna Jean Merullo

Donna J. Merullo
August 5, 1961 - October 27, 2025
Donna Jean Merullo, age 64 of Shrewsbury, completed her life's journey on October 27, 2025. A 21-year survivor of colorectal cancer, she was diagnosed with gynecological cancer in February 2024.
Born in Marlborough and raised in Northborough, Donna was the eighth of nine children of the late Robert and Irene McMenemy. She was raised by her step-mother, the late Bessie McMenemy.
Throughout her life, Donna demonstrated intelligence and wit. She graduated with honors from Algonquin Regional High School in 1979 and matriculated at Tufts University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science (cum laude) in Psychology in 1983. Donna then worked for 40 years as a contract Research Psychologist at the U.S. Army Institute for Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) in Natick, where she facilitated research studies and co-authored dozens of journal publications about human performance.
At the Post NCO Club one night, she met full-time student and part-time bartender John Merullo. They married on August 12, 1989 and relocated to Shrewsbury to build their family.
Donna was known for her generosity and warmth. Family and friends looked forward to her baked goods, especially her cookies, and home cooking. Donna was an avid crafter, making heirlooms such as homemade clothing, cross-stitch pictures, and unique quilts. She enjoyed road trips, especially to Sebago Lake in Maine and Martha's Vineyard, and to scope out the best ice cream in New England, with her favorite being Kimball Farm. Donna relished quiet moments of bird watching, Hallmark Christmas movies, mystery novels, and crossword puzzles.
Donna is survived by her husband of 36 years John, of Shrewsbury, her son Devin and his partner, Carolina of Houston, Texas, and her daughter Fiona Gronenthal and her husband Gavin, of Los Angeles, California. She also survived by her siblings: Robert McMenemy (Janice) of Pine, Arizona; Eileen DeLap (Norman) of Webster; Ronald McMenemy (the late Grayce) of Northborough; David McMenemy (Roseann) of Sebago, Maine; Gail Wright (Edward) of Westborough; Teresa Hunt (David) of Northborough; Deborah Burke (Bernard) of Hopkinton; and Mark McMenemy (Ailsa) of Northborough. She is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Joseph (Dorothy), of Framingham, and James (Amy) of Natick, and her mother-in-law, Ellen O'Shea of Natick. Donna was predeceased by her parents, stepmother, sister-in-law Grayce, and her father-in-law Henry "Joe" Merullo of Rockland. She is also survived by 22 nieces and nephews, 37 (3 predeceased) grand nieces and nephews, and 6 great-grand nieces and nephews. Donna will also be survived by her first grandchild, baby girl Gronenthal due in February 2026.
Visiting hours will be held between 12:00 PM–3:00 PM on Sunday, November 2nd at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 3rd at 11:00 AM in Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 West Main Street, Northborough.
Donna's family would like to thank their extended family, friends, and neighbors for their support over the last 20 months. In addition, they would like to thank Dr. Koretz and the Gynecologic Oncology department at UMass Memorial Health, along with the nurses and staff of the Cancer Center, 3 West at the Memorial campus, and VNA Hospice Care for their professionalism and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna's name to the Cancer Center of Excellence at UMass Memorial Health.