Remembering my Cousin Donna

 

 

 

 

 

My family has shrunk yet again. We lost my cousin Donna on Wednesday. 

Donna (Benjamin) Connell was born on June 7, 1946 in Boston, Massachusetts. Donna was Aunt Sis' and Uncle Frank's eldest.  Sister to Frank and Bev. Mother to Lori, Eddie and Richie. Grandmother to Troy, Trent, Aiden, Amanda, Eddie, Kate, Quinn and great grandmother to Jaxon. Former wife of Bob Connell.  

Family. 

That's what mattered the most to Donna. She was quiet, kind and always there for her family. 

One of my favorite memories is the witch costume she made me for Halloween in the early 1980's. I won first place for best costume at a Halloween party. There's a photo of me somewhere smiling big. It was a beautiful costume that Donna made for me that year. 

Donna, like her sister, Bev, was a great cook. Growing up with a mother like Sis, I guess it was in their blood. Cakes and cookies from scratch, nothing store bought. They baked and made the best with love. It was always done with love. 

Aunt Sis and Uncle Frank's house where we gathered for so many holidays, birthdays and just all around every days is empty of our family now. (Donna lived with Sis in her later years to help her mother. We lost Sis last December.) Yet, if I close my eyes, I can see all of us gathered there. Sis is in her kitchen. Uncle Frank, Nana, Grandpa John, Donna, Bev, Frankie, Uncle Joe, my Dad, Aunt Jini,...all of their kids and family spread out in various rooms (someone please go wake my Dad up from his nap on their recliner.) All of us telling stories, listening, eating, making and sharing memories. Family. Love. That's what matters. That's what we leave behind.