On January 24, 2026, in Rochester, NY, Donna M. Jacobi, 70, an angel on earth, ascended to be an angel in heaven, wrapped in the loving arms of the Lord, with her husband and daughters by her side in her home.”

Donna is survived by her husband, Kenneth Jacobi; her mother, Shirley Shaughnessy; and is preceded in death by her father, Walter Shaughnessy. She leaves behind her children, Tamra (Bob) Grupp, Aprilyn (Adam) Villafana, and Ginger (Jeff) Alloco; as well as her cherished grandchildren, Carter and Mason Grupp, Vinicio Villafana, and Hunter and Cole Alloco.

Born on September 16, 1955, in Rochester, NY, Donna spent her early years attending #42 Elementary School and later graduated from Charlotte High School. She began her career at Eastman Kodak, then Hallmark, and ultimately found her true calling serving the Holy Cross Church community as a Youth Minister. Through her years at Holy Cross, Donna touched countless lives with her compassion, guidance, and unwavering faith. Her impact on the parish and the larger community is immeasurable.

Donna married her lifelong sweetheart, Kenneth, on February 16, 1974. Their love story began at just fifteen years old and grew into nearly 52 years of marriage grounded in devotion, resilience, and deep affection. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with faith, family, and unwavering loyalty. Their marriage was a living example of their vows-“for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health”-which they honored faithfully until Donna’s final day.

Known for her unconditional love and selfless nature, Donna always put others first. Though she had no siblings, she was blessed with many brothers and sisters through extended family and dear friends. She adored her pets throughout the years, and in recent times especially treasured the companionship of her dog Teddy and cat Gabby. Her happiest moments were spent surrounded by family, especially her “TAG team” and their families.

Donna found joy in the simple and beautiful moments of life-family dinners, the smell of morning coffee, doing puzzles, crocheting, and time spent in her garden. She loved to travel and enjoyed adventures from the Poconos (where she and Kenneth honeymooned) to Caneel Bay, Darien Lake, Toronto, Branson, Hawaii, and especially Las Vegas, where she loved visiting her daughter and her family. Her hobbies were expressions of her heart: making her famous meatballs, playing the guitar, attending musicals, celebrating every little moment, and always lifting others up. She had a special gift for making every person feel loved, valued, and seen. Guiding young people in their faith journey was one of her greatest joys, and her favorite expression-“God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good”-was a reflection of her deep and lasting faith.

Please join us to celebrate Donna’s life on Friday, January 30th, from 4:00-7:00pm. Her Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 31st at 12:30pm, at Holy Cross Church, 4492 Lake Ave., Rochester, NY. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, Rochester, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Donna’s name to the Wilmot Cancer Center or the Animal Service League.