Racine – Donna Jean Ricchio, 59, passed away at her residence on Thursday, December 13, 2012. She was born in Mauston, WI, on October 17, 1953, daughter of the late Theodore and Earline (nee: Skaggs) Lucksted.
Donna was a master gardener. She worked hard to make her backyard bloom beautifully every spring and summer for her whole family to enjoy. Donna enjoyed cooking and could make just about anything. Her boys always ate well and will surely miss their mom’s cooking. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading all kinds of books. Donna will also be remembered as an animal lover. She had a soft spot in her heart for animals, especially cats. Above all, Donna cherished her family and treasured her sons, Tony and Sam.
Donna leaves to cherish her memory, her sons, Anthony and Sam Ricchio of Racine; brothers and sisters, Ted, Terry, Robert, Don, Linda, Sandy, Mary; grandchildren, Samuel Ricchio II and Eve Ricchio. In addition to her parents, Donna is preceded in death by her former husband, Mark Ricchio, and good friend, Mary Ann Sanders.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 21, 2012, 1:30pm, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 11:30am until the time of the service. Memorials have been suggested to Tony or Sam Ricchio.
Eileen Avila and Cathy Zittel says
Donna was always found in her yard doing things that she loved to do. She was always finding ways and ideas of making her home more beautiful. She would be in her yard digging, cutting, trimming or planting something. She was always “touching up” her home in one way or another. She loved her visits with her grandchildren. Each time I went by her home while walking my dogs, she would always stop to say hello and pet them. She sure did love animals,all animals. Donna even went to the extent of putting food out in the front of her house to feed any animals or birds that came by. I also enjoyed yardwork and we’d get together at times to admire the different types of flowers and designs we had and wanted. This spring we had a plan of giving each other a “clipping” of this and a bulb of that. I enjoyed her compliments, conversation and extrodinary positive feedback when discussing my own issues. I would talk with her on occassion of problems that seemed so big but she had a special way that made them look so small. She was such a hard worker at everything she did. I’d offer power tools and she would decline them and do everything by her own elbow grease.I will certainly miss seeing her hang out her laundry and just miss her as an individual. Donna was a wonderful person that will be terribly missed. The neighborhood has already been completely changed since her passing. May God bless her and her family.