Donna K Cecire

It is with great sorrow that we, the Cecire family, must announce the passing of our loving, kind, strong, and our extraordinarily amazing mother, wife, and friend Donna Cecire. Donna, 68, of Colonia, New Jersey, passed away March 25, 2023, at John F. Kennedy Medical Center surrounded by her family after a long battle with breast cancer. She was raised in Linden, New Jersey by her mother, Helen Austin, as the only child in that family. In addition to her mother, she was nurtured and loved by her Polish grandmother, “Babcia”.  Early education began at Saint Theresa in Linden where she learned Polish at an early age.  Her cousins in South Plainfield were more like siblings, sharing all holidays and get togethers.  Her family extended also to all the friends she easily made and surrounded herself with from school and the neighborhood. Her love of travel, knowledge of people and places, began with the many trips her mother took her on during her youth.  She graduated from Mother Seton High School and would eventually graduate from Montclair State University with a bachelor’s degree in English.

She would go on to work at Exxon Research and Engineering Company in Florham Park and Linden where she would meet her future husband, Jim Cecire. While she would love her work, her calling was to be a mom. She would give birth to two sons, James Cecire in 1992, and Jonathan Cecire in 1994. She took such pride in being there every step of the way for her family, going above and beyond to ensure that they were provided for and above all else, loved. She would attend every practice, game, and school function while chatting away with anyone she met. Her personality and warm nature endeared her to so many people and she had a presence that was truly awe inspiring. She enjoyed traveling all over the world, from Italy, to Alaska, to Aruba, but she had a special place in her heart for Orlando, Florida. Almost every year from when her children were born, they would spend time in Disney World to the point where she could tell you where almost anything was off the back of her hand. She had so many fond memories from those trips where our entire family shared so many laughs and gave all of us stories to tell for a lifetime.

Later in life, she would become more involved in the family business where she would continue to form lifelong bonds and become a leader/maternal figure to so many. Even in a male dominated industry, she gained the respect and trust of her employees while helping the business thrive. Even as she struggled with health issues in her last few years, she showed a resolve that was truly admirable and throughout that entire time, she never lost her faith and her ability to make people smile.

She is survived by her husband James (Jim); children, James, and Jonathan; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Family and friends are welcome to attend her services at Gosselin Funeral Home from 6 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, March 30, 2023 and Friday, March 31, 2023 from 5 pm to 9 pm. Saturday, April 1st there will be a mass at St Helena Roman Catholic Church starting at 10:30 am.

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