Louise M McDonnel

Louise M. McDonnel of Moorestown, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 at her home. She was 82. Born in New York, NY, the daughter of the late Dominic and Rose Marino, Louise lived a life full of passion. A lifelong learner, she embraced her own education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts & Sculpture and a Master's degree in Fine Arts. Upon completing her graduate Fellowship at Rinehardt School of sculpture, Louise chose to volunteer as a "Mud Angel", restoring buried art after the devastating 1966 flood in Florence, Italy. Starting with that service in Florence, she continued to find ways to pair art, and the culture that surrounded it, with travel. She further indulged her love of travel as an airline stewardess, even braving flights to Vietnam at a dangerous time. Unable to stay away from Italy, Louise lived in Rome while she completed her Fulbright-Hays Grant in Draftsmanship. Then she followed in her mother's footsteps and found a career in education, which allowed her to foster an appreciation for art in her students at Cherry Hill High School East. A natural leader, Louise became the Chair for the Art Department at East before becoming the Supervisor of Art at Princeton High School. Toward the end of her career, she even collaborated with other educators to give lectures about the connection between art and literature in various European cities. Louise always had an eye for beauty in all areas: art, design, music, food and humanity. Furthermore, she never wasted an opportunity; such was the case when she met Jack. The two met on a blind date and were married six weeks later. Both she and Jack loved to travel, but Louise also enjoyed speaking other languages, including Italian and German. Like her mother, she was an excellent cook and relished hosting dinner parties. In retirement, Louise sharpened her mind by reviving her skills as a pianist and stayed active by sharing in one of Jack's passions - golf. They would play daily and travel to different states or countries, immersing themselves not only on the greens, but also in everything the regions had to offer. Even when serious physical ailments befell her, Louise persevered through numerous surgeries, unwilling to let chance dictate her life. For forty-two years, Louise and Jack were inseparable. She even followed her love, William John (Jack) McDonnel, into death after only ten days. Louise is survived by her sister Marguerite (Bob) Smaldore, niece Nora (Carlos), great-nephews Alexander & Greyson Santiago; sister-in-law MaryAnne (widow of Anthony, Louise's brother) Marino, nephew Matthew (Cristina), great-nephew Antonio and niece Diana; step-daughter Marthe (James) Neill and step-grandchildren James and Rebecca (Virgina). A joint Memorial Service for Louise and Jack will be held on Saturday, September 13th at 11:00 AM at the Perinchief Chapels, 438 High St., Mount Holly. Relatives and friends may visit with the family from 10am – 11am at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Louise's memory may be made to St. Jude's Hospital for Children at stjude.org/donate