I remember when I was very young when my Aunt Donna and Aunt Louise would come out to Colorado to visit us when they could. I remember when my Aunt Donna used to make fish faces at me when I was a baby. Every time I would laugh so hard. I still laugh (at times) just thinking about it. Even though you are not here You are always in my heart, I love you! Aunt Donna

Rest in Blessed Peace!

-Ellie

  I remember when Donna and Louise came out to the farm and how they would go down to the cow barn and name all my cows with the names of their friends in Statan Island. Donna and Louise loved having farmers breakfast with me. We sure miss her she was always so upbeat even though her pain. May she rest in Blessed Peace

-Rocco R Muzzipapa SR

Born Donna Santoro in Manhattan, her family spent summers on Staten Island until moving to Great Kills in 1949. She attended St. Clare's School in Great Kills and graduated from New Dorp High School. Later on, she earned a degree in physical therapy from the College of Staten Island. 

Mrs. LaMendola had worked as a physical therapist at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Nursing Home, Stapleton and for T.I.P.S.Y., an organization dedicated to helping people get sober, as well as doing clerical work at Reuben Associates and at the Vanderbilt Nursing Home, Stapleton. 

She loved the beach, swimming, gardening and bicycling almost as much as she loved helping other people. 

"Her life was defined by love for others," said her sister, Louise Santoro. "Even after she had gotten sick, she still insisted on helping her friends and neighbors as usual." 

(From: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Donna-Lamendola&lc=1392&pid=153866018&mid=4830124)