Donna Marie Frisella

Our precious Donna Marie Frisella, 73, was taken home to be with the Lord at 6:32 pm., Monday, November 11, 2019. Her death was caused by a massive heart attack. Donna was born on April 20, 1946 to Donald and Janet Roche, of Emington, Illinois on Donald’s 25th birthday. She was the oldest of four girls and a beloved sister. She attended Saunemin High School and graduated in 1964. Donna was crowned homecoming queen, won the area pageant known as Miss Livingston County, Illinois, and was runner-up in the Miss Illinois pageant. Donna attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, majoring in Cosmetology where she met her husband, Josef Frisella, from Saint Louis, Missouri. They were married on February 12, 1966. Donna worked alongside Josef, co-managing their many businesses over the years in St. Louis, Mo and West Hollywood, CA. She also ran her own clothing line for 3 years in Los Angeles, CA. Donna was an extremely loving and caring human being, loved by all who had the fortunate opportunity to have known her. (Her most enduring vice was her craving for “Dark Chocolate”, which her grandchildren would sneak to her behind Josef’s back.) She was a devoted friend and wife to her husband Josef, a loving mother to her two daughters, Julie and Angela, and a wonderful and caring grandmother to her ten grandchildren. Donna’s greatest legacy is the memories she has shared with her adoring family. She was a wonderful grandmother (Nani) always showing interest and providing encouragement to support the children at their recitals, plays, concerts, oral book reports, sewing projects, cooking experiments, etc. She was a good listener and had an abundance of patience. She would generously listen on the other end of the phone for hours. She provided comfort to us all with popsicles during the summer and hot chocolate with two sizes of marshmallows during the cold months. Family time included children’s movies on repeat, toys strewn about the living room, forts and “houses” beneath the dining room table, Legos under foot, cozy blankets for snuggling… she loved when the grandchildren came to visit. Donna is survived by Josef, her husband; Julie van Uchelen (daughter) and husband Job; Angela Hahs (daughter) and husband Christopher; Kathy Kallas (sister) and husband Bill; Diane Rothrock (sister) and husband Wes; Karen Archie (sister) and ex-husband Daho; Lucille Guest (aunt), and Dorothy Roche (aunt). Sam Frisella (brother in law) and wife Sandy. Twelve nieces and nephews: Shelly Lewis, Candice Budzinski, Debbie Adcock, Kristi Wright, Jeff Kallas, Amy Meyer, Chad Rothrock, Ryan Rothrock, Triscia Plescia, Heather Bell, Adam Archi, and Lisa Archi. Ten grandchildren: Sarah Grows, Megan Hahs, Jason Hahs, Christian van Uchelen, Emma Hahs, Paul van Uchelen, Grace Hahs, Rene van Uchelen, Joie Hahs, and Joshua Hahs. Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Janet Roche, her grandparents James and Irene Roche and Herbert and Vera Studley. Services will begin with a celebration gathering on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 11:00am, followed by a memorial service at 12:00pm at Valhalla Funeral Chapel located at 7600 St. Charles Rock Road in St. Louis, Missouri. Donna wasn’t interested in formality. Please dress casually and colorfully… you can even wear jeans, if you’d like. She wouldn’t care one way or another to see you in a suit, but she would want you to feel comfortable … so if you are a suit type person, go for it. We are heartbroken our beloved Donna has left us. Her pure sweetness, generosity, love and gentle, beautiful spirit will live on in all of those who loved her. Donna loved to hold the hands of others; We will remember the feeling of her hand in ours. She will be sadly missed by us all. ******************************************************************************************************** in lieu of flowers: please send donations in Donna's name to St Jude's Hospital...…….. stjude.org

Donna Marie Frisella

April 20, 1946 - November 11, 2019