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LuAnn uploaded photo(s)

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Hi, all. I wanted everyone to "meet" Valda. Valda was Hugh's caregiver for the last four months of his life. Valda took care of Hugh (and Mom!) 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. We know that the care she gave him is what kept him with us for as long as he was. She made sure he ate, drank, took his meds, shaved him, bathed him and everything else that comes with being a live-in caregiver. She loved Hugh as much as he loved her. They spent many an hour talking, singing and when Hugh was feeling better, they even had a dance or two. He was so appreciative of the loving care she gave him. He would always say "Thank you, dear" whenever she did even the smallest thing for him. Toward the end, it was no easy task, yet Valda did whatever he took to keep him strong. Pureed his food, smashed his meds in applesauce, fed him his ice cream and whatever else kept him strong and made him happy. Only the best for Hugh. The weekly grocery list included fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, salmon, avocadoes, bananas, etc. -- only the best for Hugh and she made sure I always bought his favorite Royal Dansk Sugar Cookies. Hugh loved his watch and Valda made sure that right after his "shower", his watch was right back on his wrist. I can't imagine anyone else taking as much care for him with the love that she had and I know that he had for her. When Valda made his coffee -- it was always very light and very sweet. When I came to visit, my coffee was not quite as light and not quite as sweet. Valda though -- hmmm, maybe I'm not making his coffee the way I should. So, the next time, not as light and not as sweet. Hugh tasted the coffee and immediately said -- this is the worst coffee I've ever had. We got a chuckle out of that! On behalf of Liz (mom), myself, Mary, Bob, Jean, Gregory, and the rest of the family --- Thank you, Valda, with all our hearts. We can never repay you for the care you gave to Hugh. You were an angel sent from above and we are so grateful that our Lord knew to send you to us. You will forever be in our hearts! LuAnn, Liz and the Donlan family!

P

Peggy Gignilliat posted a condolence

Monday, November 22, 2021

Dear Mary, Bob and Liz, You have suffered with him , but now Uncle Hugh is in the Presence of God! I am adding him to my prayers for a Plenary Indulgence and Perpetual Membership of Masses. Uncle Hugh was great to Sue and I when he came to our Father Daughter Dance at the Academy of St Joseph in Brentwood and kept us dancing with Dad and him! We loved meeting Uncle Hugh and Aunt Seena in Florida with our parents. He and I talked recently and on the day of our 50th Anniversary Party in 2019. God bless all of the family ! What a great man he was!

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luann moore uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, November 20, 2021

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luann moore uploaded photo(s)

Friday, November 19, 2021

Mom is not "good" with computers these days, so sharing this for her. As many of you know, Hugh and Seena, Liz and Bill were friends for years before Seena and then Bill passed. Hugh and Liz found comfort in each other and what started as a friendship turned into a beautiful love for each other. Hugh eventually sold his condo, moved in with Mom and a few years later, the two were blessed with a loving marriage. They had many wonderful years together. The two enjoyed the parties at the complex they lived in --- New Year's Eve parties, Halloween dress up events -- you name it, they were they. They helped other "seniors" at bingo, Hugh won many bocci ball tournaments at Cedar Glen, and the two enjoyed their trips to theThrift Stores to just look around and also bring home little trinkets they purchased. They loved to sit outside and Mom enjoyed watching Hugh work in their garden. They had a wonderful life together and Mom will miss him deeply. Rest in Peace, Hugh. Your love for Mom will be with her for the rest of her life. I know you will watch over her until you see her again.We will be sure to plant a rose bush in the garden in the spring so as you look down on this Earth, you will once again see the beautiful garden that you loved so much. Rest in peace until Mom sees you again -- P.S. Just not too soon!

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LuAnn Moore uploaded photo(s)

Friday, November 19, 2021

I am blessed to have had Hugh in my life for the past 15 or so years when Mom was fortunate enough to have him and Seena as neighbors. When both spouse's passed, they sought comfort in each other and what started out as a friendship quickkly grew to love and eventually marriage. We all welcomed Hugh into our family with open arms and hearts. He was a "good man" as some would say. Always a twinkle in his eyes and quick to tell the stories of his youth and his time in the Marines. I sat with him many a time and talked about his childhold, his first job as a delivery person for a prestigious jewlery story in Chicago and how he actually shook hands with Al Capone -- how many can say that? He loved to talk about the war with my husband,Tom. And the two would sit for hours -- Hugh talking about his actual experiences and Tom sharing the many books he read about the marines. He quickly became a grandfather to my nieces and nephew and they spent many hours outside "playing" and helping Hugh with his garden. We have so many wonderful memories of the time that we were blessed with having him in our lives. The love that he and Mom shared was beautiful and she will miss him terribly. We have comfort in the fact that he passed peacefully at home with Mom at his side holding his hand as he passed to be with the Lord. As he held tightly to her hand, his last words to her were that he loved her and wanted her to be happy and have a good life. Somehow he knew his time was up and he wanted to be sure she would be okay. We will miss him terribly. For those who know how much Hugh loved his church (more than he loved the Marines if you can believe that!), I hope you will find comfort knowing that Father Bob visited Hugh a few weeks ago to give him the "Annointing of the Sick". I know Hugh found comfort in having that connection with God as his journey to Heaven became closer. I will miss him very much and feel blessed to have known him and have him as a "stepdad" to me when my Dad passed five years ago. I love you, Hugh, and know you are dancing with the angels now and reuniting with loved ones that have passed before you!

J

Johanna Sturm lit a candle

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Dearest Mary and family, To say that you had your dad for such a long time would be an understatement. You were there for him all the time and that should give you a warm feeling. I hope that the next few days weeks and months won’t be too difficult. My warmest condolences Johanna George Max and Gabi

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The family of Hugh Donlan uploaded a photo

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Frank Patti: frankpatti@frankpatti.com | Frank Patti ii: fpatti@frankpatti.com

327 Main Street | Fort Lee, NJ | 07024

Hugh Donlan

1927 - 2021

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