Donna Marie Mannello
November 28, 1954- August 28, 2024
Donna Marie Mannello passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy.
Donna was born November 28, 1954, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late Mario Joseph Mannello, Jr. and Lois Jeanne LaRiviere. She was the oldest of two children.
Donna held precious three very important gifts. The first of these gifts is education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Health from Westfield State University and her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University in 1987. Her passion for education and chiropractic kept her at Logan, where she served as a faculty member in the Clinical Science and Chiropractic Divisions from 1991 to 2020. When she retired from Logan in 2020, she was honored with the Professor Emeritus status.
The second of these gifts is family. Her love for her family was as limitless as it was fierce. Donna or “Hon” as affectionately referred, was not just a mother, wife, sister, and daughter; she was the heart of her family, a beacon of love that never dimmed.
She took to heart the words of Mother Teresa, “If you want to bring happiness to the whole world, go home and love your family.” Not a day passed by in which she expressed several times a day to her immediate family she loved them with her whole heart.
Her beautiful life will be cherished by her spouse of 20 years, Kimberly Ruth Allen; and by her children, Jack Joseph Mannello Allen and Luke Michael Mannello Allen. She was preceded by death by her parents. She is also survived by her brother, Martin Joseph Mannello; mother-in-law, Jan Allen; father-in-law, Milo (Sharon) Allen; sister-in-law, Kelly (Jeff) Rupe; nephews, Jeff (Laura) Reed and Ben Rupe; two great nieces, Delaney and Emmy Reed; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins in New England.
Her laughter, wisdom, and boundless energy filled every room she entered, creating memories that will be cherished forever. She found joy in the simplest moments, always placing the needs of her loved ones above her own. She was and forever will be the cornerstone of her family.
The third gift is her faith. Donna lived a life steeped in the traditions and teachings of the Church, embodying the virtues of love, humility, and service. She was a faithful parishioner at St. Margaret of Scotland in St. Louis, Missouri. Her commitment to prayer, the sacraments, and the teachings of Christ was evident in everything she did, guiding her actions and shaping her into the loving, compassionate person we all knew.
Donna found joy in sharing her beliefs with her family, raising her children with a deep sense of spirituality, and showing kindness to all she met. Her home is filled with love, prayer, and the warmth of her generous heart.
She leaves behind a legacy of devotion, not only to her family but to her faith community as well. Her life was a shining example of Christian charity and grace, and her memory will be cherished by all who were blessed to know her.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at 10:30AM at Walsh Hall Chapel, College of St. Mary, 7000 Mercy Road, Omaha with VISITATION FROM 9:45-10:30AM
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jack Joseph Monnello Allen and Luke Michael Monnello Allen Education Fund, in care of the mortuary.
To view a live broadcast of the Service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
19 Comments
My sincerest condolences to her family. Donna was such a wonderful person and her passion will live on in so many people. I became the doctor I am today because of her. I had her as an instructor in 1995 and then later worked with her at Logan (from 2010 on). I will be forever grateful for what she taught me and for having known her.
Sincerely,
Aimee Jokerst DC
RIP Doc. You will be missed but your love, teaching,, and advice I will continue to practice through out my career!! To the family you have my deepest sympathy.
I think of Dr. Mannello often. She was one of my favorite professors at Logan and she taught us all more than any of us knew at the time. She taught us how to be good people while being good at our craft. What a wonderful person inside and out. She will be missed dearly. God bless her and her family. ❤️
Donna was an amazing teacher and such a caring person. She was truly a blessing to so many students at Logan and her am so thankful to have known her. Prayers to all of your family in this time of loss.
Blair Zenker DC
Dear Kim, Jack, and Luke,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your amazing wife and mom. Please know the Kiewit community is holding you all close to our hearts.
With sympathy & prayer,
Megan Root
7B ELA Teacher
Kimberly, this is a beautiful tribute to Donna, her love, her passion, her compassion, her impact on those around her snd to the life, love and the home you built together and with/for the boys. May she rest in peace snd may you my friend find peace in the moments, the magic, the laughter, tears snd the memories that the next days, weeks snd months will bring . I am ALWAYS here for you all. Love you with my whole heart friend
Dr. Mannello challenged us every day to study to become the best diagnosticians we could be in a field where the only tools we have are our hands and our minds. The only teacher who could give an open book exam so difficult that you still worried about whether you passed or not.
Generations upon generations of chiropractors, along with the millions of their patients lives are made better because of her influence.
Thank you, Dr. Mannello
Kim, what a terrible loss for you and for your boys. My heart goes out to you. Mary
Kimberly, Jack and Luke – Your words acknowledge and honor Donna’s soul so well and her compassionate impact on this world. It is very hard to believe and I am so so sorry for your loss. Donna was amazing, period!! Prayers, love and hugs to all of you. Sincerely Kelly
Dr. Mannello was an absolute treasure! She was a wonderful and very gifted instructor, and I loved listening to her stories and words of wisdom as she taught me at Logan. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to learn from her.
My sincere condolences. This was terrible news and a huge loss to those who knew her. Logan was never the same after she left. There are not enough words to describe Donna, but integrity and respect come to mind immediately. Every life she touched is better for it.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Wittmer, DC
Dr. Mannello was a very gifted instructor. I was blessed to have such a thoughtful educator in the field of chiropractic. Logan is truly losing a legacy. Her dedication to the field, boards, and furthering the profession will not be forgotten. You will be missed Dr. M —John curry DC
Dear Kimberly,
Learning of the sudden and tragic loss of Donna for you and the boys is completely heart-breaking. And, after reading your beautiful gift of story of Donna’s life, it is so clear that Donna’s presence in life held such a huge space of warmth and grace for so many others, as well. The impact of such a sudden loss is beyond words…. truly.
May the support and strength of the huge love circle that Donna created in her life surround you and Jack and Luke in the weeks, months and years ahead……the journey of grief ….at times….may require a lot of hugs….
With deep sympathy,…and a huge hug….
Elizabeth Ludvik
Dr. Mannello was one of a kind. She was so dedicated to advancing the knowledge of her students. Every student that had her utilizes the knowledge she taught them, everyday on in practice. I am honored to have had the opportunity to be taught by her. She is definitely missed and thought about regularly. -Brian Laiderman, DC, MS
Donna was my instructor, mentor, colleague, and friend.
So, giving, caring, and loving and always looked out for others.
I truly am blessed to have had the opportunity to have her in my life.
She will be greatly missed by me, and my family.
My sincere condolences to Donna’s entire family. We were classmates and were quick to bond from day one. We both enjoyed learning and were good at pushing each other to succeed. It wasn’t all work, though, Donna did enjoy to cook. I did learn a thing or two about making “Sunday Sauce”. Donna made a mark on her students. At any national conference for Chiropractic, if Logan was represented, I would ask if they knew Dr. Mannello and always hear how wonderful an instructor and great influence she was to many. I was always proud to say that I was her classmate. May her memories be a blessing.
Our deepest condolences to Donna’s family. We enjoyed the time we got to spend being neighbors and getting to know Donna, Kimberly, Luke, and Jack. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Chris & Alison
She was truly a gift to all that had the pleasure of knowing her as a mentor, leader, and a friend at Logan. I am forever thankful for her influence in my life. My condolences to her family.
I went to school with Donna. She was such a great classmate and friend. We lost touch over the years but I am so comforted to know she lived her life fully!! My sincere condolenscenes to her family.
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