Donna Mae (Gabriel) Joseph

Donna Mae Joseph, 87, of 724 E. Reynolds Street passed away the evening of April 26, 2023, at her residence surrounded by family.

Donna was born in New Castle on November 9, 1935 to the late George Ameen and Mary L. (Saad) Gabriel. Donna was married to George J. “Orgie” Joseph for 53 years. He preceded her in death on September 10, 2009. 

Donna was a 1953 graduate of New Castle High School. She was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Maronite Catholic Church and the Ladies Altar and Rosary Society. She baked many delicious sour cream cakes to raise money for the church. Donna and her mother went on annual pilgrimages to St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec, Canada. Everyone knew that Donna Mae was praying for them.

Donna worked in the grocery store business at the Big J Supermarket with her husband and in-laws, at Joseph’s Supermarket, and Butler Avenue Giant Eagle. Customers waited in her line because she always had a kind word and warm smile. Donna was a wonderful person who made anyone she met feel like a million bucks. Everyone needed a “dose” of Donna Mae to make them feel beautiful. Donna enjoyed playing bingo with her mother and her daughter. She loved going on family vacations to Wildwood, NJ and casinos in Atlantic City. Her greatest joy along with her husband was spending time with her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Donna Mae.” She had a special bond with her sisters Lil and Gen next door and had coffee with them every day for many, many years. She greatly loved her nieces and nephews (all favorites) and her Joseph sisters and brothers-in-law. Sweet, kind Donna Mae will be missed by all.

Donna is survived by her daughter and son-in law, Denise M. and John P. Kearns of New Castle, her beloved grandchildren, Georgiann M. Kearns of Pittsburgh and John P. Kearns Jr. of New Castle, her sisters Lillian Medure and Genevieve Gabriel both of New Castle and her loving vacation buddy and more than a sister-in-law, Marlene Gabriel of New Castle.

In addition to her parents and husband George, Donna was preceded in death by her two brothers, Norman Gabriel and James Gabriel, sister Sadie Gabriel Saad and brother-in-law, Samuel Medure. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Noga Funeral Home, Inc. 1142 S. Mill Street in New Castle.

A procession will leave for the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Monday morning for St. John the Baptist Maronite Church, where a Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m. The Rev. Hanna Karam, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Maronite Catholic Church will officiate. Rite of Committal and burial will take place at St. Vitus Cemetery.

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