Linda Donnelly (1943-2022)

She was born on November 19, 1943, in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania to Edward Brighton Smith, Sr., and Dorothy Deimler Smith. Linda lived in Hummelstown and Hershey during her youth and participated in field hockey and band. She graduated from Hershey High School in 1962. Linda was the fourth of five children and is preceded in death by her siblings: Rodney Smith, Patricia Smith, and Edward B. Smith. Linda’s sister Shirlee Miller currently resides in Arkansas.
Linda eventually met the love of her life, Thomas S. Donnelly in her early 20’s after he continually parked in her parking spot. Linda’s parking spot just happened to be at the top of a hill and Tom needed to be able to “pop the clutch” to start his car. Of course, Tom offered to compensate Linda by buying her a drink. They were married at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church on February 24, 1968, a little more than two years after they first met.
Linda and Tom began their journey in Cleveland, Ohio. Linda and Tom immediately had three children: Jennifer Donnelly Dahmer, Julie Donnelly Torkelson, and Tricia Lynn Donnelly. A few years later this young family of 5 would pack up the green station wagon and move on to Savanah, GA. Linda balanced the difficult task of raising three girls involved in Catholic School, dance, gymnastics, and swimming. She volunteered at the Nativity Catholic Church for years running countless fundraisers and women’s groups. During this busy time, she also took classes at the local college and slowly began working toward earning her college degree. The Donnelly family would move from Savannah to Urbana, Ohio, and finally to Fort Worth, Texas in 1981. Linda persisted with her college classes and transferred credits from 4 colleges and three states. She graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in May of 1987 with a degree in Business Administration.
Linda’s determination to work both in the home and outside the home would continue as she opened her first business in 1988 called Linda Dee’s Boutique in Hulen Mall. Linda’s second endeavor as a small business owner was Aussie Outfitters at the Parks Mall in Arlington, Texas. She would eventually step away from her business when her husband Tom succumbed to Cancer in 1998. Linda’s heart was broken forever. After losing her husband she worked, traveled, and spent time with friends.
Linda was a dedicated grandmother to 5 grandchildren: Reid, Addison, Avery, Ian, and Ava. Linda “Nana” would spend the last 21 years of her life dedicated to her grandchildren. When they were young, she was involved in their daily lives, activities, and schools always reading, counting, playing on the rug or in the pool with the grandkids. As those grandchildren grew older Nana supported them logistically, attending activities, and taking care of them when they were sick. Having her three daughters and all her grandchildren with her filled her heart and made her happy.
Linda was a member of the Catholic Church and attended St Andrew Catholic Church. A Funeral Mass will be held on January 8, 2022, at St Andrew Catholic Church, 3312 Dryden Rd, Fort Worth 76109 at 12 noon. Those who are unable to attend may join virtually by visiting the "Join LiveStream" link below.
Angel rooms are available for vulnerable individuals wanting to attend in person.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022, in the Hoover Funeral Home and Crematory, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, beginning at 10 AM, immediately followed by the recitation of the rosary at 11 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Hershey Cemetery. All are Welcome, Vaccines save lives, Wear a mask, Wash your hands.