Donna Decarlo

March 1952 - October 2021

Donna Jean McDade DeCarlo, 69 of Orlando, Florida passed away at home on Friday, October 29, 2021 in Orlando, Florida.

She was born March 1 1952, in Morgantown, West Virginia at St. Vincent Polleti Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Naomi Lee Ornowski Bacco and the late Allen Emitt McDade. She was the step daughter of the late Joseph Anthony Bacco. She is survived by one son, Michael Anthony DeCarlo, daughter in law Brendaliz Lopez DeCarlo and three beautiful and angelic grandchildren, Michael Anthony DeCarlo, Jr., Viviana Celia DeCarlo and Valentina Marie DeCarlo, all of Oviedo, Florida. She is also survived by brother Rick Bacco (Kathy) nieces Courtney and Taylor as well as nieces Rebecca and Kaitlin and nephew Craig. Miami cousins included Rose Prozzillio, Jim, AJ and Frankie Krapf, Chris and Ginny Williams, Kristen and Lindsay. She is also survived by Aunt Maryann Glover and cousin Charlotte. Other family members include nephews Jason (Jesse) Pignanelli and Brian (Ana) Pignanelli.

Donna was a loving "mother and mentor" to Gary Pierre (Raniece) (Ameka), Moral Nesbitt, Cristan Cozzi (Ashley), Beth Palm Free (Adam), Andrew Ridge (Oksana), and many other youth who found comradierre and family in Michael and Donna's home in North Miami. She will also be missed by the Lopez Family, Ana and daughters, Jaliz, Areliz (Ben), Milagros (Francisco) and Gladys Muniz. She loved cooking and baking for her loved ones especially at holiday time, continuing Polish family traditions.

Donna was a third family (Ornowski and Skarzinski) generation student of St. Peter's Catholic School and High School. She studied her Radiologic Technology training at the then Fairmont General Hospital and after graduation was employed at WVU.  After moving to Miami in the 1970s she continued work in special procedures in Radiology and Medical Administration. She studied paralegal courses at University of Miami and went on to work in several prestigious law firms in Miami. She found her true love and commitment when she began work in fund raising with emphasis on church and community. She helped coordinate events for St Thomas Law School, Archdiocese Miami and the Miami Museum of Science. She was a regular volunteer for many organizations assisting women and children. Whether planning a dinner for a visiting cardinal or a reception for the Smithsonian affiliation, Donna loved being an asset to the local community. She was a friend and mentor to many including Josie, Fernande, Sarah, Jan, Gwen, Sachi, Maria, Herb, Oscar, Martha, Bernadette, Vicki, Ruth, Jeanne, Diane, Carol, Rick, Eileen and Cynthia. In her youth she was an avid swimmer at 12th Street Pool and Riverside and loved roller skating in competition, cheerleading and calligraphy. In Orlando she was a member of St. James Cathedral, (TOPS, former member of Orlando Museum of Art and Scribes of Central Florida.)

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Michael DeCarlo Sr, her brother, Allen Vincent McDade, parents Joseph and Naomi Bacco and maternal grandmother, Janet Ornowski. Also in-laws, Jean and Frank DeCarlo.

Family would like to thank the members of the medical community whose expertise, kindness and care meant so much: Dr. Kunal Saigal, Dr. V. Nandam, Dr. T. Mekhail, Dr. Alvarado, Dr. Eustorgio Lopez, Dr. J. Bekeny, Jamie, Celly, Nicole, Marilyn, Patti, Jesse, and Laurie.

Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life mass at St. James Cathedral in Orlando on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 12pm. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude Children's Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to CAREY HAND COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 2811 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806 407-898-2561 www.careyhandcolonialfh.com