Frances L. Donnelly

Frances Louise Donnelly, 74, passed away on December 27, 2024. She was born in the Bronx, NY and was the beloved daughter of the late Louis and Marie Zampino (nee Lubrano). 

Fran is survived by her sons, Michael (Debra), Christopher, Brian (Erin), and Kevin (Angela); Grandchildren: Allison, Matthew, Gavin, Aubrey, Ryan, Emily, Marty, Thomas, and Nicholas; Brother, John Zampino (Roseann); Sister-in-Law, Irene Coffey (Jim); and several nieces and nephews.

When she was two, her family moved to Glenolden, where she attended and graduated from Our Lady of Fatima School. Fran was married to her loving husband of 26 years, Martin A. Donnelly, Jr. who predeceased her in 1998. She and Mart were high school sweethearts who both graduated from Cardinal O’Hara High School. They eventually moved their family to Springfield where she lived for the last 40 years.

Fran was a homemaker, and while raising her sons, she worked part-time in Macy’s fine jewelry department. After her husband’s passing, in order to support her children, she went back to school and reinvented herself. She began working at St. Joseph’s University as an administrative assistant where she worked until her retirement.

Fran was a loving mother and grandmother. When her kids were young, she loved volunteering at St. Francis and St. Kevin schools as a Homeroom Mom, helped to arrange weekly special lunches with the Lunch Bunch, and attended school trips. She was also a two-time President of the Mother’s Guild at Archmere Academy. Fran loved bringing family and friends together by planning events and hosting birthday parties and holidays. She and Mart took their family to the Jersey shore for two weeks every summer.

She looked forward to attending all of her children’s and grandchildren’s school, sporting, and theatrical events. She was an avid Phillies fan, enjoyed Hallmark movies, and basked in the sun on the beach of Ocean City, NJ. But most of all, Fran loved to spoil her grandkids and was always the ultimate source for candy.

Throughout her later years, she proved her fighting spirit and unbelievable will to live by surviving seven open heart surgeries and countless other procedures over a 27-year span. Although Fran will be greatly missed, she will never be forgotten by her loving family and countless friends. 

Family and friends are invited to Fran’s viewing on Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Friday, January 3, 2025 from 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM at St Francis of Assisi Church, 136 Saxer Ave., Springfield, PA and Interment to follow at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fran’s name to St Francis of Assisi School, 136 Saxer Avenue, Springfield, PA 19064 would be greatly appreciated.