Constance Donato

Constance Boyle Donato, 72, died peacefully at home on Sunday, January 29, 2017, surrounded by the family she loved. Born August 2, 1944, in Somerville, she was the daughter of James and Doris Stevens Boyle. She resided in Bridgewater most of her life. Connie, as she preferred to be called, attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, and the duCret School of Art, Plainfield, graduating in 1966. She went on to her first career as a fashion illustrator. Connie often said that she was very fortunate in work in that she loved every job and career that she ever had, from fashion artist to free-lance artist, to painting watercolor renderings of homes, to becoming a real estate agent, to being on staff at the Greater Somerset Chapter of the American Red Cross — she loved each work experience. Although she retired from the American Red Cross in 2007, Connie did keep her license as a referring Realtor. However, her favorite job was being a wife, a mother, and “Nana” to her five beloved grandchildren. In 1970 she married Albert S. Donato, Jr. They moved to their present Bridgewater home in 1972, where they raised their two sons and daughter. Connie enjoyed so many things. A lifelong learner who loved to read and belonged to a book club, she also had a passion for news, politics, and ideas. She loved painting in several mediums, and she and Albert had fun traveling. She especially enjoyed people who had a sense of humor and something interesting to say. She was grateful for the wonderful family members, good friends, neighbors, and co-workers whom all made her life the better for knowing them. Connie (Nana) and Albert (Popple) both enjoyed every Friday, when they usually had a grandchild or two over for a fun day. Connie was predeceased by her parents, and also, in 2011, by her sister and best friend, Trudy [Boyle] Santaguida Kuhn. She is survived by her husband, her children, Christopher Donato and wife Denise of Raritan, Erin Fricke and husband Christopher of Hillsborough, Justin Donato and wife Sarah of Brooklyn, New York; her grandchildren, John, Samuel, and Grace Donato of Raritan, and Emmet and George Donato of Brooklyn. She is also survived by another close family member, Jane Gilday of Lambertville, four nephews, one niece, and twelve great nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, February 3, at the funeral home, with the Reverend Linda Owens, Associate Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Bound Brook, officiating. Cremation will be private. Friends will be received at the funeral home 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. Thursday, and 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. Friday, prior to the funeral services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Amercan Red Cross or Compassionate Care Hospice, 9 Lamington Road, Branchburg, New Jersey 08876.