Janessa Donahue

On August 31st, 2024, Janessa Lynn Donahue, 36, passed peacefully and suddenly in her Upper Darby home.

She is survived by a very large family that includes biological, adopted, and chosen family. She was raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania by her parents Karen and Michael Donahue. She was the second in a line of nine siblings: Christopher, Melissa, Ryan, Adam, Shawn, Megan, Shane, and Hannah. Janessa's love for Philadelphia sports and competition was nurtured throughout her childhood being raised in a household of athletes. She loved telling stories of her years playing soccer and watching her siblings play ice hockey.

Janessa leaves behind two daughters Peyton Elizabeth Donahue and Madeline Grace Donahue, whom she loved dearly. Janessa's greatest sense of pride came from watching her daughters grow up. She was always their biggest cheerleader and encourager. Janessa's cheers and celebratory dances could be witnessed at every event, ranging from sports games and cheer competitions, to musicals and math competitions. Her excitement for the girls to perform and compete was unmatched. She spoke of her daughters everywhere she went. She loved telling everyone she encountered stories of her girls' current activities and interests. Janessa truly loved being a mom. She prioritized joining in on things the girls enjoyed from playing video games, to cooking exotic foods and making dancing videos. Janessa truly believed raising Peyton and Madeline was her greatest achievement.

Janessa was loved by many and known for her compassion towards people and animals in need. Janessa often cared for stray animals and aided many over the last few years. She had always hoped to rescue a raccoon, but sadly did not have the chance. On multiple occasions, Janessa stopped to offer a hand to hold and a comforting word to people in car accidents while waiting for first responders to arrive. Janessa could never pass someone in need without offering all the cash she had in her wallet. She gave without expectation of anything in return.

Janessa loved the holiday season, her birthday, and family vacations. She enjoyed decorating the house for every holiday and took pride in making themed gift baskets to give her daughters and loved ones. Janessa made every holiday memorable. In June, Janessa was able to fulfill her dream of riding a horse. Janessa and Peyton went on a two hour excursion on horseback while vacationing in the Finger Lakes. Janessa loved the Finger Lakes and looked forward to the annual family vacation each year. She was happiest spending time with family while playing games, singing karaoke, and cooking together.

Janessa also leaves behind the love of her life, her boyfriend Nicholas Mantegna. She found the type of love she had always dreamed of with Nick. She was incredibly proud of the house and life they created together in their Upper Darby home.

Janessa will also be greatly missed by Kristi, Frank, and Amy Godwin. Along with numerous siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles who loved her dearly and whom she considered her "second family." Janessa loved the holidays, picnics and family vacations where she brought so much joy, love, laughter, and was a ray of sunshine to everyone she was around. She was a dearly loved member of her second family for the last 16 years.

A celebration of the life of Janessa Lynn Donahue will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 beginning at 11:00 am at Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. 2100 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following link, https://gofund.me/8a09d8c0. All donations will go toward Peyton and Madeline's futures. Lutz Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.