Below is an obituary from Cota Funeral Homes:
WILMINGTON, MA — Donna M. Rutledge (O’Reilly) Age 71, of Wilmington, formerly of South Boston, passed away on May 17, 2024.
Devoted mother of Jamie (Rutledge) Bornstein and her husband Matthew of Wilmington, and Matthew & Jennifer (Donahoo) Rutledge of Mount Prospect, IL. She was the proud and loving Nana of Ryan & Jordan Bornstein, and Conor & Patrick Rutledge. She was the daughter of the late John O’Reilly and the late Bertha (Sostillio) King of Boston, and loving sister of Patricia (O’Reilly) Cavanaugh & her husband William of Merrimack, NH and Theresa (King) McGrath & her husband James of Pleasantview, TN. She leaves behind adoring nieces and nephews. She will be fondly remembered as Nana Donna to many more than just her grandchildren.
Donna was born on August 4, 1952 in Boston, MA and graduated from South Boston High School in 1970. Upon her graduation, Donna began her career working as a customer service representative for an insurance agency in Boston. This would be the first of several jobs she would hold as her priorities changed once she became a mother and moved from Boston to Wilmington in 1978. She worked as a waitress at The Woodside Restaurant in Wilmington and continued to work there as a waitress and hostess when it became The Royal Dynasty. She continued her trend of working at businesses in Wilmington to be close by for her kids at all times and held positions at Carpet World, Spinelli Insurance Agency, which then became Catalano Insurance Agency. She planted her roots in the town of Wilmington, connecting with many residents since she worked locally for so many years in various customer service positions. Anyone who knew Donna knew immediately what her favorite things were; grandchildren, her family and friends, her dogs, Dunkin iced coffee, Aruba, and the color purple.
She was the epitome of what a Nana should be; disciplined yet spoiled, structured yet silly, and practical yet generous. She was the most selfless mother and gave her all to her family. Even at times when she was sick and not her best, she would never slow down and rest. She would give you her last cent if it helped make things easier for others and go without for herself. Always ready to help with a meal, plan a party, volunteer her time to drive kids anywhere, work fundraisers, and just be everything to her family. She attended all her grandchildren’s events including swimming, soccer, baseball, hockey, field hockey, dance competitions and any other activities her grandchildren participated in. She was always their loudest and most supportive fan.
Family and friends were invited to visiting hours at Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park Street, North Reading (Corner of Park St. and Rt. 28 at the Reading Line) on Wednesday, May 22nd from 4-7pm. Immediately following the visitation a Celebration of Donna’s Life was held at 7pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s Memory can be made to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, (select Cardiology as the gift designation) online at http://www.bimdc.org/giving or to Wilmington Boosters Association, PO Box 216, Wilmington, MA 01887, which provides annual scholarships to the athletic students of Wilmington High School.
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