May Dondey, 84

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mrs. May Dondey, 84, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, died peacefully on April 14, 2018, at Berkshire Medical Center surrounded by her family after a long battle with many serious health conditions.

May enjoyed helping people and could light up a room with her smile. She was quick-witted and had a magnificent sense of humor. Her love and support she gave to her family was never-ending.

She was an animal lover, with her cat Blaze and the many "grand-cats" and "grand-dogs" of her children. May had a variety of interests. She traveled yearly to Florida to see her son Tom, but some believe she really visited to see Tank (Tom and Tracie's Grand Champion showdog). She loved to read (starting her own novel), bird-watching, professional wrestling, and TV shows "The Walking Dead," "Spongebob Squarepants," and various programs on the Sci-Fi Channel.

She was an avid Red Sox fan, which made baseball season rather interesting since her husband was a passionate Yankees fan. May was a member of Knesset Israel and was strong in her Jewish faith, raising her family to understand the importance of these values.

May is survived by her children, Joe Dondey (wife Torey and son Joey), Tom Dondey (wife Tracie) and Cindy Dondey Dumas (husband Shawn); her sisters, Peggy Bush (husband Roy), Pam Parsons and Patsy Coulter (husband Tom); her brothers, Barton Mahoney and Mike Mahoney (wife Julie); and many other members of her extended family. 

She was predeceased by her husband Bernie in 2011 (married 53 years); and her brother, Bill Mahoney.

Funeral notice: Services will take place Monday, April 16, 2018, at 1 p.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Bencivenga Funeral Home, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA 01201, with Barbara Cohen, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Ahavath Sholom of Great Barrington, officiating. Burial will follow in Ahavath Sholem Cemetery in Pittsfield. 

Shiva will be observed by the family privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the Berkshire Humane Society in care of the funeral home.