Dona Pierucci

Dona Amelia Pierucci, 86, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, following a long illness. She was the wife of Dr. Louis Pierucci, Jr., for 67 years. Born on January 5, 1933, in Duncansville, PA, Dona was one of five daughters of Raymond and Hazel Miller. She lived in Duncansville and Holidaysburg, PA, most of her young life until moving to Philadelphia, PA, in 1951. Dona attended Jefferson School of Nursing in Philadelphia, where she met her husband, who was attending Jefferson Medical School at the time. They lived in Cherry Hill and Marlton, NJ, before moving to Virginia in 1993. With her husband, Dona owned a horse farm in Campbell County, River's Bend Farm, where they conducted dressage training and hosted dressage competition. Dona was an avid equestrian and lover of horses and dogs. She also loved to travel and was well known for her great cooking. She was also known by family and friends for her generosity, her sense of style, and her love for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Hyland Heights Baptist Church, Rustburg, where she volunteered in the children's ministry and Vacation Bible School. In the 1960s Dona became a born-again Christian. In the years that followed she led much of her family to Christ, which gave her immense satisfaction throughout her life. In addition to her husband, Dona is survived by six children, Jill Bolakas and husband John of Altavista; Patti Pierucci and husband Leonard Almond of Altavista; Louis Pierucci III and wife Linda of Knoxville, TN; Jody Daniel of Seattle, WA.; Beth Dikter and husband Harvey of Ponte Vedra, FL; Peter Pierucci and wife Pati of Willow Park, TX; 15 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren (and one on the way); and a sister, Judy Gill, Riverside, CA. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Finch and Finch Chapel, Altavista by the Rev. Dr. Russell Daubert. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at the funeral home. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider the Alzheimer's Association, 355 Rio Road West, Suite 102, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

Dona Pierucci

January 5, 1933 - October 16, 2019