Madonna Ann O’Connell (Muscato)

Slipped peacefully from this life on July 23, 2025. Born December 24, 1936. Predeceased by her parents, Francis J. “Bud” and Margaret “Peg” (Sullivan) O’Connell, her former husband and lifelong soulmate Frank Muscato, and her siblings Margaret (Ron) Laski and David O’Connell. She is survived by her four children Kathy Muscato (Jack McGowan), Daniel Muscato (Dimitra Dimopoulou), Frank Muscato (Lisa Strozyk), and Joseph Muscato; nine grandchildren Jared (Brittany) Muscato, Amber (Caleb) Muscato-Mericle, Kaila (Zachery) McFetridge, Brandon (Meaghan) Muscato, Zachary (Lauren) Muscato, Jake (Colleen Bustin) Muscato, Abbey (Madeline Marvel) Muscato, Josiah Muscato, and Maria Muscato; nine great-grandchildren, Hastin Muscato, Rowan Mericle; Kayl, Reece and Sage McFetridge; Avery and Waylon Muscato; Lorenzo Muscato, and Vienna Muscato; her siblings Jerry O’Connell, Francis (Maureen) O’Connell, Nancy (Jayd Mollnar) Catalino, and Mary Ann Crapsi; her wonderful caregivers Mercedes, Ana, Amy, Linda, Melissa, and Michelle; and many nieces, nephews, and greats.

Madonna was born on Christmas Eve, and it became her signature holiday. Family members gathered at their home in Hamburg to sing carols, enjoy lasagna and Christmas cookies, wave at Santa Claus on the Hamburg Fire Truck, and occasionally turn the clock back from midnight so no small tykes would worry that Santa Claus would skip their house.

She attended grade school in South Buffalo, where the family belonged to St. Teresa Church on Seneca St. They moved to Angola where she completed 7th and 8th grades at Brant Farnham School, worked summers at the “carnival” tent, and swam in Lake Erie with her six siblings. At Lakeshore Central High School, she met her future husband, Frank Muscato, although they would not begin their romance until after he had returned from service in the U.S. Army, along with her older brother, Jerry.

Meanwhile, she had begun her career as a graphic artist in the display advertising department of the Buffalo Courier-Express.

Married in 1958, Donna and Frank lived shortly in Pennsylvania before returning to Buffalo and an apartment on Amherst Street, where she gave birth to three of her four children – Kathy, Dan, Frank – and where family members often stopped at lunchtime for a bologna sandwich and a cup of Maxwell House coffee.

In 1964, the family purchased their first home in Mt. Vernon, Hamburg, joining St. Mary of the Lake Church. Three years later, fourth child Joe was born. Donna was active as a leader in The Bishops’ Committee discussion groups, and as a Cub Scouts’ den mother.

Chestnut Ridge Park and Allegheny State Park were favorite family destinations, as well as Crystal Beach, The Buffalo Zoo, Niagara Falls, and, always, the beach at Evans Town Park for family picnics and softball games. She was a pretty good pitcher.

As her children grew older, she worked part-time as a graphic artist for the Hamburg Pennysaver. She was an early student of Transcendental Meditation, became a certified Reiki and Therapeutic Touch practitioner. She studied and practiced many healing modalities over the course of her life.

She returned to her formal education later in life, earning an associate’s degree from Erie Community College South and then her Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from State University College at Buffalo. She joined a field work team serving the unhoused population in Buffalo.

She loved to travel, and made trips to her ancestral homeland of Ireland, as well as to England, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Caribbean Islands, and across the U.S. Donna and Frank spent their winter retirement years in Sarasota, FL, close to their son Frank and his family, where she was active in theater, especially musical performances. She also led meditation groups and a book club. At 4 pm, you could find her in the pool, swimming laps and then joining the community chat in the hot tub.

She loved to sew, and to paint, and completed portraits of her many grandchildren along with landscape scenes from places she loved. Donna was in her element with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, giving and receiving joy, playing War and Scrabble, inventing new games, and delighting in every precious moment with them.

In her last years, she bravely faced Lewy Body Disease and Parkinsonism, with the warm and compassionate care of family and caregivers. She continued to sketch, paint, read, pray, meditate, and enjoy visitors until her last days. She told us she was at peace several times before she passed. We will miss her spirit, her laughter, and her love of life, but are comforted to know that she is again dancing with her soulmate Frank, and they are surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 30, from 3 to 7 pm with a family-led remembrance at 6 pm at Addison Funeral Home, 262 N Main St, Angola. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 31 at 10 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 139 Pearl St., Buffalo. Parking on street or at Adam Ramp Garage, 343 Washington St. A brunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, friends may consider a donation to the Parkinson’s Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.