Darla Dee Donnellan

Darla Dee Donnellan, 60, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Monday, October 2, 2023. Darla will always be remembered for living each day with the utmost passion, resilience, and gratitude for all of life’s moments–from the biggest of milestones to the simplest of pleasures, and all that came in between. She took the time to appreciate the sounds of the waves and birds chirping in the distance, and always reminded her family to “dance in the kitchen.” Darla was a true confidant and everyone’s biggest supporter–her favorite thing was seeing the people she loved happy and living their lives to the fullest.

Darla was born on June 12, 1963 in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Her family relocated to Woodbridge, NJ, where Darla spent her formative years and met her closest, life-long friends. She graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1981 and went on to study at the Berkeley School. Darla worked in the pharmaceutical industry for most of her career, but the job that was always most important to her–and the one that gave her the most pride and joy–was being a mom.

Darla first became a mom when her son, Robert, was born in 1985. Later, in 1989, Darla met Craig Donnellan in Woodbridge, NJ. In 1993, they wed and moved to South Brunswick, NJ, where they had two daughters; Daphne (1994) and Delaney (1996). Darla and Craig enjoyed 30 unforgettable years of marriage, sticking by each other through thick and thin.

Darla lived compassionately and selflessly despite her battles with breast cancer. She never let her faith be overcome by fear, and she remained steadfast in her fight every day–her mantra always being that this disease was not her destiny. These words will hold true for eternity. She never let her cancer dictate what was possible. Darla continued to plan for her future dreams and next adventures, once she beat cancer for a third time. She never gave up in her fight, rather her unwavering spirit finally outgrew her body. Now, her tenacity, courage, laughter, and love will live on through her children and all those who knew her. The world is forever brighter because of Darla.

Darla was predeceased by her mother, Carolyn Knott, and her stepfather, William Knott. She is survived by her devoted husband, Craig Donnellan; her loving children, Robert Muzzio, Daphne Randolph & husband Jalen, and Delaney Donnellan; her father, Jack Morris; her brother, Robert Morris & wife Kelly; her sister Jacquelyn Bigos & fiancé Bill; and her grandson, Robert Muzzio, Jr.

There will be a celebration of life held on Sunday, October 15th from 2-5pm at The Waterfront, 361 East Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731. The family invites you to wear pink in support of Darla and all those impacted by breast cancer. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Darla’s memory can be made to Susan G. Komen New Jersey, a charity that Darla was passionate about and one that helped her in her fight against breast cancer (https://komencsnj.org).

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