Obituary of Donna T. Ward

Donna T. Gatto Ward, age 59, of Meriden, beloved wife of Allan Ward, died on Saturday November 5, 2016 in the presence of her loving husband and family following a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Born on December 20, 1956 in Bridgeport, she was the daughter of Andrew and Regina Gatto of Bridgeport. She attended Central High School in Bridgeport and Bridgeport Hospital for RRT training and attended Charter Oak College for her Respiratory Therapist Degree. She was a Respiratory Therapist at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Milford Hospital, Supervisor of Respiratory Therapy at Gaylord Hospital and most recently was employed at Middlesex Hospital. She loved gardening and going to the beach. Donna also enjoyed traveling with her close circle of friends, Thea, Karen, Robin and Patty. She was an excellent baker. Donna rescued several cats which gave her great joy...Petey, Scooter and Sneakers. She supported several local animal shelters. Donna was generous and loving wife, devoted daughter, sister and friend to many. She was known for providing excellent clinical care to her patients. Donna had a beautiful smile, touched many lives and will be missed. She was predeceased by her brother Drew and grandparents. In addition to her husband of 17 years, Allan, and her parents, Andrew and Regina, survivors include her brother Joseph Gatto and his husband Ian McNeal of Baltimore, MD as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, 851 North Ave, Bridgeport for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Stratford. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, 20 York St., New Haven, CT 06519.