Obituary of Donaline M. Colavita

Donaline M. Colavita, 91, of Whiting, NJ passed away peacefully on Sunday June 4th, 2023 in Ewing, NJ. Dona was born in Franklin Lakes and attended Trenton Central High School. She and her husband Anthony raised their six children in Eldridge Park and she worked part time at the Eldridge Park school so she could be available and close to her children. What brought Dona the greatest joy all throughout her life was raising her family, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also, quietly, helped many friends and neighbors in any way she could. She loved cooking for family dinners, especially around the holidays, making sure there were always extra seats for those who were alone. In the summers, she and her family would go down to Seaside Park for a week with her in-laws Norma and Joe and all the kids. She was also very active in the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 414. She and her husband traveled often to Dunedin, Florida where they had a home and spent many wonderful winters with friends and visiting family. When Dona and Anthony left Eldridge Park and moved to Whiting, Saturday’s and Monday’s were reserved for breakfasts and lunches with her siblings and dear friends Margaret and Johnny. In her later years, Dona was very active in the Red Hats in Whiting. She enjoyed the lunches and conversations with the many friends she made. Dona was so proud of her family, and of all their accomplishments. Daughter of the late Anna Bish, Wife to the love of her life, the late Anthony J. Colavita, AKA “Poppy”, and bonus Mom to the late Phyllis Kownacki; her late siblings Charles Bish, William Bish, Ann Prickett, Donald Bish; and in-laws Hollie Bish, John Beetel, Bud Prickett, Dorothy Bish, Joseph Colavita and Donald Colavita. She is survived by her sister Donna Beetel and sister-in-laws Norma Colavita and Patricia Bish, and her beloved children and their spouses, Donald and Vicki Heater, Dawn and Dave Pinterich, Anthony and Francine Colavita, Joseph and Nina Colavita, and Mark and Rebecca Colavita, and son-in-law Jim Kownacki. Also surviving are her cherished grandchildren and spouses; Robert and Patty, Kendra, Rachel and Peter, Samantha and Chad, Alison and Sam, Mary, Nicholas and Christy, Tara and Charles, Amy and James, Melissa and Randy, Jamie, Chelsea, George, Nina, Jamie, and Traci, and her precious great-grand children, Bryan, Teresa, Aiden, Ryleigh, Emma, Jon, Parker, Mesa, McKinley, Athena and Jaidyn. Dona was also survived by so many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends and will always be remembered by her kindness, loving heart, and genuine acceptance of others. She will be missed by so many. Visitation for Dona will be held on Tuesday June 13th at 8:30 am to 11am at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ. A Blessing will be given at 11 AM. The Burial ceremony will follow at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ at 12:30pm. Due to cemetery restrictions of not allowing flowers, memorial contributions in Dona’s honor can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society www.nationalmssociety.org