Surrounded by love, Maria Donato, 89, of Buena, NJ, passed away on May 2, 2025, after an extended illness.

She was born on July 18,1935 in Modena, Bologna, Italy, the daughter of Algimiro Lenzi and Leopolda Parenti. She grew up in northern Italy during World War II, where she lived with her mother and siblings: Americo, Ermanno, Renata, and Luigi.

Maria arrived in the United States in 1954, settling in Landisville, where she made her home for the next 28 years. She married and raised two children while working at Scott Paper Company on the production line. She eventually moved to the shore area for several years in the 1980s and was employed by the Claridge Hotel. She returned to the Landisville area the following decade, where she remained until recent years.

She was known for her warm smile, sense of humor, love of gardening, silly jokes, and above all, her kind and loving heart. Her greatest joys were cooking and spending time with her family.

Cherishing Maria's memory are her beloved children, David Donato, and Marisa Moffa, along with Marisa's husband, Ray, all of Buena. Her strength and affection will continue to resonate through her devoted granddaughters, Jessica Riley Bogaert and her husband, Sam, of London, and Caitlin Weigand and her husband, Tim, of Egg Harbor Township. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandsons, Matthew Donato of Vineland and James Donato and his wife, Emily (Bucsek), of Folsom. Maria's legacy lives on through her great-granddaughters, Lillian Watson and Willow Weigand, who carry forward the love she so freely gave.

A brief ceremony, followed by interment, will be held at Our Lady of Victories Cemetery in Landisville on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11 a.m.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.wbfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are in the care of Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland.