Judith Dorman Donley

In the early morning hours of August 13, 2024, Judith Dorman Donley passed away peacefully at the White Horse Village at 88 years of age. She was the beloved wife of Phillip B. Donley for 65 years who predeceased her last summer, and mother to Dean (62), Jonathan (59) and Jennifer (55). 

Judy was born April 8, 1936, in the town of Morristown, NJ to Edward and Johnet Dorman. Her Dad was a musical director, and they owned a music store. Her high school yearbooks note that she was a social young lady who did not “care too much for conceited people.” Judith was a member of the Bowling Green marching band. Upon graduation from Bowling Green, she attended D.T. Watson Physical Therapy School where she met Phil in 1957 due to the fortuitous alphabetical proximity of their last names and apparently her need for a car ride.

Judith graduated from PT school and she and Phil were married October 6th, 1958, and moved to Morgantown, West Virginia. In 1965, they moved to South New Street in West Chester, PA, the Donley family residence for 55 years. There was absolutely nothing in Judy’s lifetime that she enjoyed more than motherhood. She always told her children that they could do anything, that they were terrific.

Judy was known to host many parties at their West Chester home. From Birthdays to Athletic Training Picnics, to Game Night and of course, Bridge night. Judy loved to play games - especially when she was winning.

Judy also loved to host the holidays. Christmas mornings were big extended family events. She was in her glory having everyone in her home and making breakfast, cookies and of course serving candy. Christmas dinner was always a delight as Judy was a giggler with a sometimes off-color sense of humor that left family members literally rolling on the floor with laughter. 

Christmas was fun, but Halloween was her favorite holiday. She made costumes for the kids and loved handing out treats to the trick or treaters. One year, Jonathan refused to go trick or treating, so she dressed him up and had him lay on the floor in front of the front door lying in wait to scare unsuspecting trick or treaters.

An eloquent writer, her letters to family and friends were always from the heart. As the family grew, she would write letters of congratulations to the newlyweds and explain how fortunate the family was to have such a wonderful new member of the family. Judy had some interesting sayings, for example when the kids were feeling a little lazy, she would exclaim “You Can Do this, Your Legs are Not Painted on”. 

Judy endured chronic migraines but fought through her pain to care for her children. Judy stated that she was a tough Jewish girl from Morristown and was a fighter right up to the end!

As her children moved into adulthood, Judy did not sit around. She was crucial in helping Phil launch and manage an extremely successful Physical Therapy business (CCOSPT) and they both started to play a fair amount of golf. Judy had skills. She was also a talented artist creating upwards of 100 works of art. Her artistic eye was apparent everywhere from her interior decorating to her stylish wardrobe, often accented by beautiful headwear. 

As Phil and Judy settled into retirement age, they made annual sojourns to Hilton Head Island for their anniversaries and family and friends often assembled. However, Judy’s favorite location for family and friend gatherings was Fenwick Island, DE. Thus, the nickname Buddy for her grandchildren as in Beach Buddy. They rented property there every summer until they could no longer physically do so. The beach was Judy’s favorite place on the planet, from her youth until well into her 80s.

As the last members of the Donley family left Judy’s side on the eve of her passing, and the sun was setting over a nearby farm, a horse was seen running alongside the road and leapt in the air bucking playfully. Now, like this running horse, Judy is finally free and reunited with her beloved husband Phil.

Judy is survived by her brother, three children, spouses and grandchildren: Dean Donley and Alison (Margin) Donley with Rachel Donley and Trevor Donley; Jonathan Donley and Mary (Renshaw) Donley with Sarah (Donley) Tracy, Nathan Donley and Megan Donley; Jennifer (Donley) Burrell and Jason Burrell, and her brother Ira Dorman, and his wife Sheila.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Judy’s favorite charity, the Seeing Eye, Inc of Morristown, New Jersey. You can visit their website at https://www.seeingeye.org to make your donation.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitation 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Saturday, August 24, 2024 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA 19382, 610 431-9000. The Celebration of Life will follow from 1:30-4:30 PM at Align.Space, https://www.align.space/, 2 W. Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382 (The Historic F & M Building on the corner of Market & High Street right next to the High Street parking garage. Wheelchair Accessible. Light lunch will be provided.)