Donna Stempien, 61; Lifelong Greenwich Resident, Dedicated Mother

From Castiglione Funeral Home

Donna Stempien, a lifelong resident of Greenwich, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2014 at Greenwich Hospital with her family by her side.

Born Dec. 29, 1952 to Grace (Tropiano) and Anthony Catalano, Donna graduated from St. Mary's in 1970 and Stonehill College in 1974. While Donna worked for Arnold Bakery and the family business J. Catalano & Sons, her favorite job was being a mother.

In 1990, Donna lost all but 18 inches of her intestines. After a three-month stay at Greenwich Hospital, Donna was asked what she wanted to do now that she had a second chance at life. Her response was to spend more time with her children. Despite her health issues, Donna was a dedicated mother who never stopped talking about her "detective son and nurse daughter." 

She was an avid knitter, making one-of-a-kind sweaters for family and friends, selling others at the Greenwich Women's Exchange, and donating hats to the Greenwich Hospital NICU. Donna loved relaxing by her pool, attending her son's softball games, and spending time with her daughter.

Donna is survived by her son Michael Stempien, daughter Sarah Stempien, mother Grace Catalano, brother Joseph (Susan) Catalano, and sister Toni Jean (Bruno) Minichino. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews Jessica Catalano, Alyssa (Brian) Ferenz, Krista (Michael) Pietrafeso, Tara (Robert) Harvey, Lindsay Minichino, A.J. Minichino, great niece Ella Pietrafeso, and great nephews R.C. Harvey and Levi Ferenz, as well as many aunts, uncles,and cousins.

She was predeceased by her father Anthony J. Catalano.

Her children would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Greenwich Hospital, including her cousin Marcie Husband, who not only cared for her all these years, but cared for her well-being even when she was not a patient. Donna will be dearly missed but remembered by all whose lives she touched.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, May 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Castiglione Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Ave., Greenwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28 at Sacred Heart Church in Byram. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Rye Brook, NY.

In lieu of flowers, her children ask that you make a donation in her name to the Greenwich Hospital Foundation, 35 River Road, Cos Cob, CT 06807.

For Online condolences ,please visit www. Castiglionefh.com