Donna M. Janda Lorenzini passed away at her Hinsdale home July 29, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Donna, 89, was born in 1934 and raised in Riverside, the sole daughter of Alice (Privoznik) Janda and Joseph Janda Sr., in a home built by her father. She graduated from St. Mary's Grammar School and Trinity High School.
Donna was accepted to St. Mary's College in South Bend and earned her bachelor's in nursing while also becoming the college nurse. She attended the University of Notre Dame football games accompanying the team's physician and, after one of the games, met her future husband, Ron. Love blossomed and they were married Aug. 9, 1958.
Ron finished medical school and a residency, but not before their first son, Ron Jr., was born. Two years later Donna gave birth to twin daughters, Nancy and Susan. Because of the escalation of the Vietnam War, Ron Sr. joined th U.S. Army and was assigned to northern Italy, where the family lived for three years. It was here that their son Thomas was born. The children attended the Italian Montessori School and the U.S. Army Grammar School, and the family made lifelong friends.
Returning stateside, the family moved to Riverside before settling in Hinsdale.
Donna had a quiet strength about her which was respected and admired by all her family, and which provided the foundation for the family's mantra, "Sempre La Famiglia".
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald N. Lorenzini; and her, brother Joseph Lewis Janda Jr.
She is survived by her children, Ronald (Colleen) Lorenzini Jr., Nancy (Kopec) Lorenzini, Susan (Lawrence deceased, Bill Gross) Dougherty and Thomas (Honore) Lorenzini; her grandchildren, Emily (Jake) Raeker, Gabrielle (Daniel) Cook, Brian (Pooja) Kopec, Thomas Dougherty, Caroline Lorenzini, John Kopec, Thomas J. Lorenzini Jr., Ronald N. Lorenzini III, Michael Lorenzini, Henry Lorenzini, Isabella Lorenzini, Anabella Dougherty and Francesca Lorenzini; and his three great-grandchildren.
A wake will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at Modell Funeral Home, 7101 S. Cass Ave., Darien.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ministry of the Poor Development Office, St. Mary's College, 407 Bertrand Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556-5000.
