Donna Marie Atwell Cavallaro
Ocean Pines
Donna Marie Atwell Cavallaro, 71, of Ocean Pines, passed away on Dec. 18, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on Nov. 20, 1954, in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late Donald Atwell and Anne Grady Atwell.
Raised in the Westbrook Park section of Upper Darby, she was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and a graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High School, Class of 1972. A true Delco girl through and through, that spirit stayed with her throughout her life.
She raised her family in Drexel Hill and Coatesville, Pa., gathering friends along the way — much like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, collecting companions along the Yellow Brick Road.
A devoted wife, mother, and recent nana, she found her greatest joy in time spent with family. With a magnetic personality, quiet strength, and a remarkable sense of humor, Donna had a way of making people laugh without even trying — and if you were lucky enough to make her laugh, you never forgot how it made you feel.
She loved camping with her family and vacations to the shore, Knoebels, and Lake Wallenpaupack.
Whether hosting Christmas gatherings, offering thoughtful advice, or simply listening, she made everyone feel special.
She worked for many years in several roles at QVC, where she shared one of her greatest gifts — helping others. A longtime volunteer, she generously gave her time to organizations ranging from the Boy Scouts to fundraisers and marching bands.
In retirement, Donna made her home in Ocean Pines, becoming a fierce pinochle player and a devoted passenger aboard the family pontoon boat. She was grateful for the opportunity to visit her ancestral homeland of County Mayo, Ireland, where she reunited with family and visited the birthplace of her grandmother. She also enjoyed many trips to California and Florida and developed a love for cruising — traveling more than she ever imagined and embracing life with joy and adventure.
She is survived by her loving husband, Anthony Cavallaro Jr.; her children, Brian Cavallaro, Andrew Cavallaro, and Christina Cavallaro Johnson (Matthew Johnson); her cherished granddaughter, Lily Johnson; her sister, Barbara Atwell Garvey; her nephews, Donald Garvey and Matthew Garvey; and her beloved Pickles, the cat.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend her memorial visitation on Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in St. Gabriel Catholic Church, Mohawk Ave., Norwood, where Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donna’s memory to the Worcester County Humane Society at worcestercountyhumanesociety.org.