Sara Ilda Donnelly

Of Fair Oaks, California, passed away peacefully at home on May 29, 2022.

Sara was born the year 1964 in San Francisco to Vincenzo and Ilda Pasquinelli.  She was the first of her Italian family to be born in the United States.  Sara’s first language was Italian, and she learned English when she started attending school, which helped her greatly to translate the American soap operas for her Nonna.

She completed High School in Millbrae, CA., and earned her bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of San Francisco.

Sara was always devout and involved in her Catholic faith.  While still in her teens, she taught CCD, and eventually became the Youth Minister of St. Dunstan Parish in Millbrae.

On August 29th 1992 she was blindsided by a young sailor in Hawaii, and after a only five days of dating they were engaged.  Shortly thereafter, she got up the courage to tell her family and friends that she ‘met a man,’ and Matthew and Sara were married on January 2nd 1993.  They lived in Bremerton Washington from 1993 until 1995 when they returned to California and settled in the Sacramento area.

Since she was 12, Sara held many jobs, but her passion was teaching the Catholic faith.  While working, and leading youth groups.  Sara and Matt welcomed their daughter Nicole in 1997, and then Amber followed in 1999.

In 2008 Sara started working at St. Mel Parish in Fair Oaks, and there became a constant presence in the church community.  At St. Mel she was officially the Financial Director, and Religious Education Coordinator.  Un-officially, her duties included event coordinator, keeper of the keys, cook, supply chain coordinator, and sometimes caterer.  Even in the advanced stages of ALS, she continued to work at St. Mel because she loved the people, and the mission.

Sara was preceded in death by her beloved brother Giuseppe.  She is survived by her father Vincenzo, mother Ilda, husband Matthew, sister Marta, and daughters Nicole, and Amber.

  Friends and family are welcome to attend the Holy Rosary service on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mel Catholic Church, located at 4745 Pennsylvania Ave., Fair Oaks, California, 95628.

The committal interment service will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 1500 Mission Ave., Colma, California.

Please email any stories you have of Sara for the family to inlovingmemoryofsaradonnelly@gmail.com.

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