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Ellen "Nellie" Donohue

1933 - 2023

OBITUARY

Ellen “Nellie” Donohue (nee Murray), aged 89, of Oakland Gardens, NY. After a brief illness, Nellie passed away in her home on July 27, 2023, surrounded by her family.


Nellie was predeceased by her loving husband Jack after 67 years of marriage; she was also predeceased by her parents Anne (Doran) and John Murray, her brothers Tom Murray and Patsy Murray, and beloved brothers- and sisters-in-law, and an adored nephew and nieces.


Nellie will be sorely missed by her ten children, Pat (Noreen), Tommy (Peg), Danny, Chris (Marytheresa), Anne (Dick), Sean, Mary Ellen (David), Peter (Esteban), Gerald (Norma), and Deirdre (Pete). Nellie was cherished by her grandchildren Sean, Brian, John, Ellen, Kevin, Matthew, Patrick, Jack, Brendan, Deirdre, Teresa, Megan, Katelyn, Bernadette, Katherine, Ashlee, Bridget, Jocelyn, Nolan, and Kaylan, along with 14 great-grandchildren and one more on the way. Nellie is also survived by her dear sisters- and brothers-in-law Kathleen, David, Celia, Mary, Stephen (Eirlys), and Evelyn (Fred).


Nellie was born on December 23, 1933 to John and Anne Murray in Mullan, County Monaghan, Ireland. As a young child, she moved to England with her parents and brothers. She was a proud recipient of a scholarship to Rugby High School for Girls. She remembered her years there fondly. She enjoyed many new experiences working for both the tax offices and bus lines, before leaving to help her parents run their café.


Being a big music fan, Nellie played the piano in an Irish folk band with her father. This led her to meeting the love of her life, John “Jack” Donohue. They married on Easter Monday in 1955 before settling in their first home of Leicester and beginning their family. In 1959, they made their decision to move their family of 5, and a baby on board, to America. With the guidance of family members, they settled in the Bronx and continued to grow their family. They moved to College Point, NY and eventually settled in New Hyde Park, NY, where they would raise their 10 children.


While raising the children, Nellie was passionate about volunteering for community organizations. She spent countless hours working with FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity), designing, and creating costumes for Holy Spirit’s Red and White Night, among many other endeavors. Nellie also was always striving to be the best she could be, teaching herself countless skills as the years went on. Her family fondly remembers her excelling in knitting, painting and especially her Irish soda bread.


As the years went by, Jack and Nellie became “snow birds,” retreating to Anna Maria Island, FL for a portion of the year. Here they made friends that would last a lifetime and Nellie discovered a true passion for Irish Dance. After many years of enjoying Anna Maria, they returned to New York full time to be closer to their family. She was an avid crossword puzzler and loved game shows of any kind, never failing to amaze her family with her unbelievable skill.


Nellie’s kindness and generosity will never be forgotten. She had an incredible way of making everyone, even the newest of acquaintances, feel right at home with her. Never without a kind word or a compliment, she was able to give everyone a boost with just a simple word. That kind and sincere nature stayed with her even through the hardest times. She will be remembered always as wonderful mother and grandmother and will be missed sorely by those closest to her.


In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.


VISITATION

Monday, July 31

2:00 - 4:30 PM & 7:00 - 9:30 PM

New Hyde Park Funeral Home

506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY


MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

Tuesday, August 1

9:30 AM

Holy Spirit R.C. Church

500 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY


INTERMENT

Pinelawn Memorial Park

2030 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY


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