Elizabeth A Donnelly

Most of us lose our innocence during adolescence. Liz Donnelly was one of the lucky ones. She kept hers for 68 years.

Her view of the world was always one of wonder. She never recognized the evil that lurked there but surely knew its joy. It could be something as simple as tossing a frisbee.

Liz, who was developmentally disabled, also delighted in dancing, bowling, assembling 1,000-piece puzzles and rooting for the Mets (“Yankees stink”). A birthday cake made her cry.

Elizabeth Anne Donnelly of Colonia is dancing still but on a celestial stage. She passed away last week after struggling with several health maladies. She was 68.

You always knew what Liz was thinking because she said it out loud. She held conversations with herself where she posed a question and then answered it to confirm what she knew.

Some of it had to do with her unofficial role as the family record keeper. After gleaming the knowledge from her late mother’s datebook, she reminded her siblings about birthdays, anniversaries, doctors’ appointments, even recyclables pickup day.  

“She kept me on my toes,” said brother Jim, who took care of her. “She was my living notebook.”

Liz was both childlike and childish. She could be a mite stubborn. During her childhood, seeing her brothers jostle to ride in the front seat, she joined the competition. And then won by default, If she wasn’t in the front, the car wasn’t going anywhere. That was as true today as 60 years ago.

Liz is survived by a sister, Kathleen, and five brothers, Mike, Jack, Tom, Frank and Jim, along with a multitude of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive callers Sunday from 1 to 4 pm. at Gosselin Funeral Home at 660 New Dover Road in Edison. A mass will held Monday at 10 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church at 420 Inman Ave. in Colonia.

Some of the front seats of cars in the funeral procession may appear empty but don’t be fooled for a moment. Those seats are taken.

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