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MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- Donna J. DiMaggio (Massa), a Mamaroneck resident, died Monday, Nov. 2, after a long battle with cancer.
DiMaggio was born Jan. 17, 1949, in New Rochelle, to Benita and Jack Massa of Harrison. She attended Mamaroneck schools, graduating from Mamaroneck High School in 1967.
She performed as lead vocalist in the Mamaroneck-based R&B group The Sidewinders in the 1960s, opening for such musicians as James Brown and the Four Seasons.
She was married to her husband, Mark DiMaggio, March 26, 1972. DiMaggio resumed her educational pursuits earning a B.S. in educational psychology counseling from Iona College in 1989 as a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society.
She served as a guidance counselor at Cardinal Spellman in the Bronx. Continuing her education endeavors, she received a Masters of Arts and a Masters of Education from Columbia University Teachers' College in 1995. Subsequently, she joined the faculty of the College of New Rochelle as a professor of psychology in 2004.
DiMaggio is survived by her mother, Benita Massa of Harrison; a sister, Jacqueline Carnevalla; husband, Mark DiMaggio; three children, Lisa, Mark and Noel DiMaggio; and three grandchildren, Jack, Mark and Klara DiMaggio.
To honor her life, family and friends will gather from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home, 767 E. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Gregory the Great R.C. Church. Interment will follow at Greenwood Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in DiMaggio's memory to Calvary Hospital at calvaryhospital.org.
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