Donna J. Parisi
June 29, 1930 - July 09, 2019
Obituary
MADISON / MIDDLETON-Donna Jean Parisi, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, at her Middleton home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 29, 1930 in Madison, Wis., the daughter of Thomas and LaVerne (Peckham) Farris.
Donna was a warm, compassionate, smart and strong woman who treasured her roles as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, friend and Middleton good neighbor. She grew up in Madison and graduated from East High School. Donna married her beloved Joe Parisi on July 11, 1959, and they built their home on the street Joe managed to have named after her, Donna Drive.
Donna worked for many years as the Administrative Assistant for the Superintendent of Middleton-Cross Plains School District. She loved hosting parties and feeding her extended family, dancing with her husband and spending time with her dear friends at supper clubs and Dansant Dance Club. Her home and heart were open to everyone. Donna instilled a sense of civic duty into her children and modeled this through her service to the Middleton-Cross Plains School Board, City of Middleton Commission on Aging, League of Women Voters, Cub Scouts (Leader), Homemakers Group, and by working at the voting polls every year she could. Donna got a lot of joy out of playing practical jokes on her husband with whom she laughed heartily and frequently. She loved her St. Luke’s Community and felt especially close to Pastor Heather Hayward.
Donna is survived by her sons, Michael (Cheryl) Schlicht, Timothy (Carol) Schlicht and Joseph (Erin) Parisi, Jr.; grandchildren, Erik (Michelle) Schlicht and their children Kelly and Cassidy, Joe (Elizabeth) Schlicht and their daughter Madeline and their child on the way, Trevor (Amanda) Schlicht, Jeff (Marnie) Schlicht, Beth (Todd) Loncki and her children Matt, Garrett and Ellie, Trisha (Brad) Schwartz and their children Lexy, Grant and Leah, Angie (Josh) Brisky and their children Zach and Ben, Sadie Parisi, Eden Parisi; and her sister-in-law and BFF, Wanda Farris and her wonderful children. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Dick Farris; and husband, Joe Parisi, Sr.
A funeral service will be held at ST. LUKE’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service on Saturday.
The family gives a special thanks to Donna’s caregivers at her assisted living apartment and Agrace Hospice, who gave her the love and respect shown by everyone who had the honor of knowing Donna Parisi.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in Donna’s memory to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711, https://www.agrace.org/donate/.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Events
Visitation
Sat Jul 20, 2019 @ 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Luke's Lutheran Church • 7337 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562
Service
Sat Jul 20, 2019 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. Luke's Lutheran Church • 7337 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562
Photos
Memories
RW
Rita Walker
Other •
Dear Donna Parisi family, We were very sorry to hear of your loss and ours. She will be dearly missed but never ever be forgotten, l loved her very much. She and Joe were right by my side when my mom passed away and. the family had to be divided. l will be forever grateful to this wonderful cousin. Our prarers are with all of you. Love Rita
AJ
Ann Johnston
Other •
Our thoughts and prayers to Tim and Carol and all of Donna’s family. She was a great lady.
Ann & Glenn Johnstom
AG
Ann Gruendler
Other •
Eu decido agora perdoar. Isso não significa reconciliar com uma antfer-mas a dose significa liberdade.
SP
Sandy Parisi Pape
Other •
My sincere condolences to all of Aunt Donna's family. Sharon Emery Halverson's daughter, Susan Shubert,had this picture posted on their family website and I thought it would bring back memories to those who knew my parents, Sam and Dorothy Parisi, along with Uncle Joe, Aunt Donna, Pepo, and Erin.
Living in Iowa, I did not get to visit often, but she was always welcoming and delightful to visit with.
Sandy Parisi Pape
RB
Rose Bridge
Other •
My memories of Donna are plenty, but most of all she is the cousin I looked up to and she set the example of a fun loving, honest and professional woman. She did little things for me as a child such as giving me a modern haircut, sewing a cute outfit for me, and sleepovers at her house. I couldn’t help but laugh when I heard her laugh. My heart aches for her family and friends - she will be missed. Rose Bridge
CM
Claudia Miska
Other •
Donna was a delightful lady. I first met her husband Joe when he and I were on the Senior Olympics Planning Committee through the senior center. He would tell stories about Donna. Later I met Donna when we were on the Commission on Aging for the senior center. She would tell stories about Joe. Their relationship was an inspiration to me.
Donna was very proud of her family and loved them all dearly. Savor all the memories. It will help with the pain.
I can not attend the service on Saturday because I will be volunteering at the Middleton Historical Society. Donna would approve of this decision because of the civic minded person she was.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Claudia Miska