Rhodora Jacob Donahue

Rhodora Jacob Donahue lived a full and admirable life, exemplifying the compassion and generosity of her faith as she brightened and strengthened the lives of family, friends and community. 

Rhodora was born April 18, 1925, to William L. and Catherine O’Connor Jacob, and was the eldest of eight children.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Francis Donahue, her brother, William Jacob Jr., sisters-in-law, Helen Jacob and Mary Ann Jacob, brother-in-law, Charles Frey, grandchildren, Heather Donley and Melissa Donley, and great-grandchild Conlan Rheingrover. She is survived by her siblings, Kathryn Frey, Mary Alice (Vincent) Stanton, Robert Jacob, Vincent (Margie) Jacob, Richard (Dorothy) Jacob and Virginia Ware. She was raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and met her husband, Jack Donahue, when she was 14 years old. He remained number one in her world throughout their 70 years of marriage, which led to an incredible legacy of 13 children, Katherine (Thomas) Freyvogel Jr., J. Christopher (Ann) Donahue, Maribeth (Richard) Donley, Rhodora (Dick) Barton, Patricia (James) Dolan, William (Janet) Donahue, Theresa (Alfonso) D’Orazio, Thomas (Frances) Donahue, Susan (Ronald) Petnuch, Carol (Patrick) Moore, Maureen (James) Murphy, Rebecca (Craig) Foxhoven and Gregory (Kimberly) Donahue, 84 grandchildren, their 46 spouses and168 great-grandchildren.

After her marriage to Jack in 1946 and her graduation from Mount Mercy College (now Carlow University) in 1947, Rhodora spent three years in Roswell, New Mexico, where Jack, as a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, served in the U.S. Air Force. They had their first two children and returned to Pittsburgh in 1950, where they completed their family with 11 more children and became well-respected pillars of the community.  

Rhodora was a devout Catholic, whose deep love of Jesus and His mother Mary showed through in her role as a mother, which she deeply loved, and also through her community involvement, support and leadership.  Rhodora was active and passionate about the importance of faith-based education. She promoted volunteerism as a critical aspect of education. She also established awards across the nation, which recognized excellent performance in the classroom, church and community.  Rhodora was keenly insightful into the needs of others and met this call with a generous spirit of giving and wisdom.  

Rhodora and Jack moved to Naples in 1986 and returned each summer to their farm in Ligonier to spend time with their growing multigenerational family. To connect with the expanse of her network, Rhodora always found a way to foster personal connections by sending lovingly handwritten notes to share ideas, commemorate special events and celebrate milestones.

In the evening of Monday, December 12, 2022, Rhodora passed away peacefully at the age of 97 in her Naples home, ready to reunite with her beloved Jack and be joyfully welcomed into heaven.  Her family surrounded her with love, prayer and song. Her model of personal connection and compassion; good humor and earnest humility; and devotion to faith, family and friends will shape and inspire generations to come.  

Friends will be received on Monday, December 19, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS INC., (freyvogelfuneralhome.com), 4900 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.  A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA.

With heartfelt appreciation, the Donahue family thanks caregivers in Naples, Ligonier and Pittsburgh who have assisted Mrs. Donahue, as well as friends for their well-wishes, prayers and assistance. Remembrances may be made to Oakland Catholic High School, (oaklandcatholic.org) and The Red Door, (divinemercypgh.org).

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