Edda Madeline McDonnell, 95, of Bloomsburg, passed away peacefully at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, on Saturday, November 22nd, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She had been in failing health for the last month and a half.

Born in Serino, Italy, on April 23rd, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Antoinette (nee: Frustaci) and Emilio Iannelli. At the young age of 3, she and her father sailed from Civitavecchia, Italy, onboard the passenger ship the Conte di Savoia, to the Port of New York. From here, they emigrated to Maine, where they were reunited with her mother.

Eventually, they made their way to Philadelphia, where her family owned and operated an extremely popular store and luncheonette called "Emil's". Located on Broad Street, many local newspapers and magazines published articles and photographs that lauded "Emil's" as the home of the first "hoagie". Throughout all of her years, she was extremely proud of her Italian heritage.

As the oldest of four children, she grew up understanding the necessity of hard work, dedication, and frugality. She was often tasked with caring for and entertaining her younger siblings, household chores, and tending the store, all things which would lead her to be highly organized with an impeccable work ethic.

Despite her many responsibilities at home, she thoroughly enjoyed her time growing up in Philadelphia, attending school and spending time with friends, many of whom she maintained relationships until they predeceased her. She enjoyed school, except for gym class, and excelled in her studies. She graduated from the South Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1948. Wanting to experience life outside the city, her collegiate journey took her to the Pennsylvania State University. It was here she enjoyed the freedom of university life and the many clubs and activities in which she became involved. She was truly the "Belle of the Ball", invited to and attending many social events with friends. It was also at PSU where she met and eventually became engaged to her future husband, Aloysius (AJ) McDonnell. Graduating in 1952, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology, she moved back to Philadelphia and accepted a position as a medical technologist with Jenkintown Medical Laboratories. She and AJ were married in 1953 and moved to Warren. Here, she worked in the Pathology Laboratory of Dr. Phillip Schwartz at Warren State Hospital. Looking for other career opportunities, she and AJ moved to the Bloomsburg area where she was a stay-at-home mom to their four children.

Following the dissolution of their marriage, she enrolled in a Master's Degree program in Business Administration at Bloomsburg State College and rejoined the workforce at the Columbia County Area Agency on Aging, working as a Site Supervisor of the Bloomsburg Senior Center and eventually as an Accountant, Fiscal Officer, and Assistant Director, until her retirement in the late 90's. As an entrepreneur, she founded Edda McDonnell & Associates Home Financial Services. She served on the Board of Directors of the Bloomsburg Red Cross, the Friends of the Bloomsburg Public Library, the Women's Center, and the Bloomsburg Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Beyond her professional endeavors, she was an avid gardener who possessed an enviable green thumb, always relishing the first fresh greens and ripe tomatoes of the season. Her home was filled with a jungle of houseplants and beautiful African Violets which always seemed to be blooming. She was a savvy Bridge player who looked forward to her weekly outings with the Perkin's Bridge Group. She was an avid reader on many subjects and had very strong political opinions. One of her favorite things was gathering with her family for birthday and holiday celebrations. Many of her family's favorite memories will be the litany of hilarious comments and one liner that emanated from her lips.

Left to cherish her memory is her loving and devoted "TEAM", which includes son Thomas A. McDonnell and his wife Darby, Bloomsburg; daughter Ellen McDonnell Sudbury and her husband Jack, Bloomsburg; son Arthur J. McDonnell, Chester Springs; daughter Mary McDonell Nolan, Longmeadow, MA. She is also survived by beloved grandchildren Nicole Vought Grunden and her husband Bill, Orangeville; Shea Vought Good and her husband Adam, Orangeville; AJ Nolan, Burlington, VT; Morgan Nolan, South Boston, MA; Other survivors include great-grandchildren Alexa Feick and Hailey Grunden, Orangeville; Connor and Nolan Good, Orangeville; sister-in-law Lynne Iannelli, Warminster; brother Ernest Iannelli, Vero Beach, Florida.

Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her former husband, Aloysius (AJ) McDonnell; brother Emil Iannelli; and sister Lucille Francesco.

The family wishes to express their most sincere thanks and gratitude to her caregiver of the last few weeks, Tammy Jefferies, Huntington Mills; Bloomsburg EMS; all the medical professionals at Geisinger Danville ER and ICU, particularly Nurse Jenn and Nurse Diane, for the excellent and compassionate care she received.

"Addio, mia amata madre, finche' non ci incontreremo di nuovo."
"Goodbye, my beloved mother, until we meet again."

A time of Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, from 10:30 am to 11:30 am at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. 745 Market at Eighth Street, Bloomsburg.

Funeral Services will begin on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at 11:30 am at the Allen Funeral Home, Inc. with Rev. Michael Spagnuolo, Catawissa Christian Church, officiating. Graveside committal services will immediately follow in New Rosemont Cemetery, Bloomsburg. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., is honored to be serving the McDonnell family.

Memorial contributions in Edda's name are suggested to: Bloomsburg Public Library, 225 Market Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.