Mary Agnes (Mahoney) Donaldson

Surrounded by her family, Mary Agnes (Mahoney) Donaldson, age 84, of Millsboro, Delaware, passed away, following a long illness on Friday, April 7, 2023. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey on January 16, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Luke J. and May E. (Driscoll) Mahoney. She grew up in Bayonne and graduated from Holy Family Academy before going to Philadelphia to consider a vocation with the Sisters of Saint Joseph. However, while there she realized that God had other plans for her and left the congregation, moving to Newark Delaware with her family. There, she attended The American Institute of Banking and worked for the Farmers Bank of Delaware. Mary Agnes met and married her husband, Walter, in 1958. After returning from a military deployment to Germany, they settled in Newark where they raised their family until they retired. Mary Agnes was a caring and loving mother, wife, and friend to all. She was active in her community and over the years served as a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) teacher and church volunteer. Mary Agnes worked at the Little Sisters of the Poor – Jeanne Jugan residence from 1978 to 1982, was employed by Staz Food Services supporting MBNA America until 1993, then opened and ran a day care until her retirement in 1998. In addition to her parents, Mary Agnes was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Jo Donaldson; her sisters, Elizabeth Ann Mahoney, Rita M. Norris, Veronica M. Williamson; and her son-in-law, Jacques L. Vial. Mary Agnes is survived by her loving husband, Walter B. Donaldson Sr., with whom she celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary; her beloved children, Walter (Sharon), MaryLouise Vial, Michael (Kim), Luke (Karen), Neal (Lisa) and Joel; her sister, Sarah Boyle of Macungie, PA; seventeen grandchildren, Walter Donaldson III (Leah), Rachel Donaldson (Matthew), Matthew Vial (Theresa), Nicholas Vial, Annamae Vial-Beamer (Jack), Marybeth Vial, Kelly Krajewski (Patrick), Michael Donaldson (Nicole), Kelsey Donaldson, Brice Donaldson, Molly Donaldson, Sarah Donaldson, Natalie Donaldson, Brennan Donaldson, Lauren Donaldson, Reagan Donaldson; and nine great-grandchildren, all of whom she adored. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am. Interment will immediately follow the Mass in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Agnes’ memory to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713 or online by clicking here.

Mary Agnes (Mahoney) Donaldson

January 16, 1939 - April 7, 2023