Donna Pagano, loved the Lord
Donna (Muscatello) Pagano went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Excelcare at Lewes with her husband (Frank Pagano) at her side.
Donna was born in Elizabeth, N.J., in 1952 to Gloria (nee Gibilisco) and Richard Muscatello. She grew up in Elizabeth, attending Benedictine Academy and graduating from Battin High School. She then went to secretarial school at Berkeley College in New Jersey, graduating in 1970. In November 1969, she met her future husband, Frank Pagano, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. They were married May 27, 1972, at St. Genevieve's Church in Elizabeth, honeymooned in Jamaica, and then took up residence in Columbia University married student housing while Frank finished his studies for his PhD in chemistry. While Frank was studying, Donna worked at St. Luke’s Hospital and then Columbia University Library. Their joke was, “Frank got the PhD, and I got the PhT – Put Him Through!”
They moved back to New Jersey in 1974, living in Avenel, N.J. for 22 years, Monroe Township for four years and Old Bridge, N.J., for eight years before retiring to Milton in 2013. During this time, Frank worked and Donna started her own calligraphy business, Creative Calligraphy. Besides doing work for brides, Donna did work for the U.S. Marines, Tommy Hilfiger and other businesses, both large and small. Her work was also featured in an advertisement for Bertolli olive oil that appeared in the New York Times Sunday magazine section. After becoming a born-again Christian in 1983, Donna used her talents, which included singing, in service for the Lord, singing in choirs, trios, duets and solos. She ministered to women through her prayers, calligraphy and her gift of encouragement.
Donna was preceded in death by her father, Richard; her mother, Gloria; and her brother, Mark. She is survived by her husband, Frank of Milton; her son, Brian of Cherry Hill, N.J.; and her sister Lisa and her husband Mickey of Clark, N.J. She is also survived by two nephews, Michael and Jill of Westfield, N.J., and Matthew and Caroline of Clark; and a niece, Julianne and Jason Cumbers of Berkeley Heights, N.J. Through them, she is survived by 10 great-nieces and great-nephews. Donna is also survived by her cat, Molly.
A Funeral Service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, April 25, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where family and friends may visit beginning at 2 p.m. All those unable to attend the services may view the livestream at parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/11753067/LTWebcast.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gideons International. “The grass withers, the flower fades. But the word of our God stands forever.” - Isaiah 40:8 NKJV. Visit Donna’s Life Memorial at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
