Obituary of Donna Zicarelli
Donna Margaret Zicarelli, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and devoted friend, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025, at Sunrise of Randolph, NJ, at the age of 87.
Born in Queens, NY, on November 24, 1937, to Jeanette Koch and Alfred Molteni, Donna's life was marked by deep love for her family, tireless community involvement, and a remarkable work ethic. She attended Sherwood School of Business and began her professional journey as a secretary at Oakanite before dedicating herself to raising her five children.
Later, Donna returned to the workforce, serving in various roles including Operations Manager at LCS in Clifton, NJ, and positions at Athenia Steel and Kodak Camera. It was at Hill Crest Management, however, where she found her calling—managing the Senior Housing at Governor Paterson Towers, a role she held with pride and compassion until her retirement in 2000.
Donna’s dedication to others extended far beyond her career. During the 1970s and 1980s, she was a passionate volunteer: serving as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Fashion Show Chairperson at School 5 in Clifton, leading the Clifton Western Division Little League Women’s Auxiliary, and fundraising tirelessly for the Clifton Mustang Marching Band—famously creating and delivering hoagies to support the band’s travel.
In later years, after moving to Fox Hills, Donna continued her legacy of service as President of the Harding Building for ten years, remaining active and engaged in her community.
Above all, Donna’s family was the center of her world. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She adored singing to them—especially her signature rendition of “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” a song that sparked a cherished tradition of receiving stuffed hippopotamuses from her grandchildren over the years. Her fierce love, boundless joy, and unforgettable sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Donna was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years, Joseph Zicarelli, in 2015.
She is survived by her five devoted children:
Steven (Carmen) Zicarelli, Janet Zicarelli, Diane Zicarelli, Lisa (Scott) Miller, Robert (Brianne) Zicarelli
And her adored grand children: Emily and Wes, Alyssa, Mark, Danielle and Eric, Adam and Maddie, Nick and Ashlyn, Gabriel, Caspian, Grace, and her great granddaughter Camille. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Private services were held under the care of Norman Dean Home for Services, Denville, NJ. For more information or to share memories, please visit www.normandean.com.
