Rosalea V. Donahue

Rosalea Veronica Donahue, nee Sciortino, entered into eternal rest on February 20, 2024. She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, attorney Dennis J. Donahue Jr.; their children: Rosalea (Lea) Austen (Jon), Dennis III (Amy), Althea and Alexis Donahue; and grandchildren: Alec (Marjorie) and Veronica Dales, Lillian Donahue McClatchey (Killian), Abigail and Patrick Donahue, Bailey Rose and Sullivan VanderVeen, and Claire and Jack Austen. Other survivors include sisters-in-law: Patricia and Margie Sciortino, Suzanne Farrell, MJ O’Brien (Vincent), and several nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Michael V. Sciortino (Rosalea Fekete); and her brothers James and Carl Sciortino. 

Rosalea was born in Kingston, NY, on November 6, 1938, grew up in several towns in Fairfield County, CT, and raised her family in West Haven, CT. Prior to retirement and move to South Carolina, Rosalea was a noted educator in Connecticut. She also worked for many years as a professional model. Rosalea was active in the Roman Catholic parishes to which she belonged and in a myriad of civic, cultural, educational, and religious organizations and held office in most. She was a dynamo of energy, kind, and nurturing. She was happiest when being of service to her family, friends, and community, and she enjoyed entertaining, reading and traveling.

A Wake will be held at the McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC, on Sunday, February 25, 2024, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, during which time the Rosary will be prayed at 4:15 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan’s Island, SC, on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM. There will be a reception to follow the funeral at the parish hall adjacent to the church. Entombment at St. Benedict’s Columbarium in Mt. Pleasant will be at a future date convenient for her family. 

Her family would like to thank Lutheran Hospice for their compassionate care. We are forever grateful. 

Memorials may be made in her memory to: Stella Maris Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 280, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482; Lowcountry Ovarian Cancer Alliance, P.O. Box 21661 East Bay Station, Charleston, SC 29413; or to a charity of one’s choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at https://www.mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation,1520 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 884-3833.