Donna Jean Massara

Donna Massara, age 87, of Columbus, OH passed away on Saturday September 27, 2025 surrounded by family.

Donna came from a large family and as a young teenager she loved spending time with her sisters sitting on the front porch singing the latest hit songs together. She also enjoyed roller skating and picking berries for her mother to make her delicious pies with. She met the love of her life, Charlie at age 14 when she and her sister, Nancy were filling in for their brothers' paper route one day. Donna and Charlie married on April 27, 1957. While raising her 5 children, Donna served as a volunteer in various activities including working in the lunch cafeteria at St. James the Less Catholic School where her children attended, and preparing food for funeral luncheons at St. James the Less Parish where her husband was a member. Staying fit was important to Donna and part of her daily routine was exercising with the Jack LaLanne show, then later the Beverly Exercise show. Competing in bowling leagues and being a "Mall Walker" at the old Northland Mall also kept her active over the years along with tending her beautiful yard and flower beds.

Family meant everything to Donna. She loved visiting her 13 brothers and sisters and their families throughout the year as well as holidays. She also looked forward to attending the annual Skeen reunions. Donna was a great cook. Her family especially enjoyed her cheesy scalloped potatoes, corn bake and her delicious blackberry and cherry cobblers - both fruits of which were cultivated by her husband in their own backyard. Donna also cherished her grandchildren and was proud to support them at band and choir concerts, recitals, theatre productions and sporting events.

Donna is survived by her siblings: Harold ('Bud'), Donald, Betty Hunt, Judy Zinser, Beverly Nevills and Linda Skeen; her children: Tina (Mike) Lee, Vincent (MaryLee), Nick (Erin), Gina (Dan) Badea and Tony; grandchildren: Brandi (James) Murray, Sean (Bethany) Lee, Andrew (Mel) Lee, Lauren (Jason) McMannis, Josh Massara and Megan (Barry) Robertson, Sophia and Joel Massara, Lisha Badea, Dominic (Moriah) Badea, Monica Badea and Matthew (Erin) Badea; great grandchildren: Olivia & Nolan Murray, Sienna, Jude & Ava Lee, Selah, Annavah & Israel Badea and Ezra Badea; and many more extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Charlie, parents, Joseph & Lucille (Kelly) Skeen; siblings: Jimmy Herbert, Joseph Jr., David, Gerald, Barbara Frost, Shirley DiPietro, Patty Foley, Nancy Kemp; granddaughter: Brianna Lee and great grandson: Levi Murray.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 14th from 6-8 p.m. at Moreland Funeral Home where there will be additional visitation Wednesday, October 15th from 10-11 a.m. followed by a service at 11:00 a.m.. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Capital City Hospice was a huge blessing to Donna and her family over the last 2 years of her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary gift in Donna's name made to Capital City Hospice at https://capitalcityhospice.com/