Donna Marie Correia of Melrose, daughter of the late Joseph E. and Carmella C. (Ricci) Correia, passed away peacefully on August 28th after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Donna was born and raised in Cambridge, until her family moved to Melrose in 1965. She graduated from Melrose High School in 1969 and then went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Early Education from North Adams State College. After graduating college, Donna taught in the Medford Public School system her entire career until retiring in 2007. During her post retirement years she also taught at St. Patrick's School in Stoneham.

In addition to her great love for her family, friends, and her many pets throughout her life, Donna's other great love was for the children whom she considered her own every school year. Donna put her heart and soul into teaching, and truly made a real connection with so many of her students. In her free time, Donna loved music, dancing, theater, art, all things creative, and especially loved to travel. She had an extremely independent nature and a great admiration and appreciation for the finer things in life. She will always be remembered by her bright smile, zest for life, and her thoughtfulness toward others. Donna was truly a special woman who knew how to make everything she did special too. She will be remembered fondly and dearly missed by many.

Donna is survived by her brother Joseph A. and his wife Susan M. (McNeil) Correia of Rockport, and her sister Carla (Correia), and husband Paul Ranelli of Melrose. She was the loving Aunt of Joseph A. and Jessica Correia of Lynnfield, Michael C. and Caitlyn Correia of Sudbury, and Christian R. McAree and Carmella R. Ranelli, of Melrose. She will also be greatly missed by her great nephews and nieces, Joey, Fallon, Marcus and Noelle, as well as many other relatives, friends and former colleagues.

Visiting hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster Street, Melrose, Sunday, September 8, 2024 from 4-7 PM. Procession from the Gately Funeral Home on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM followed by a Catholic Funeral Mass at Incarnation Church, 429 Upham Street, Melrose, at 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose, Ma.