Delia R (Paniati) Donne

“Former Mayor of the City of Torrington"

Delia Donne, former mayor of the City of Torrington, passed peacefully into eternal rest on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, with family at her bedside. She was the wife of the late Louis G. Donne Sr., with whom she celebrated 61 years of marriage. Born July 11, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Archangela and Louis Paniati of Torrington, and was predeceased by her sister, Flora (Paniati) Nebiolo.

Dee was a woman of conviction, grit, vitality, and compassion. We are grateful for her enduring spirit – and all that she gave to her family and community over her 91 years. She lived her life without excuses – and with enthusiasm – as a steadfast wife, devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, unbelievably good cook; and a generous, loyal friend to many. As her granddaughter has said, “Getting through a trip to the grocery store with Nanna was like trying to leave Brooklyn via the BQE on a Friday night. Stop and go, everyone wanted to talk to her. It would take forever!”

Dee loved to dance, and she loved music. Tony Bennett, whom she notoriously kissed on stage at the Warner Theater, and Perry Como have lost an ardent fan; and “Alexa” has one less person asking her to, “Play Italian music, please.” 

For over four decades Dee’s presence in Torrington business, community services and city government served the community well. Her love for her family was matched only by her passion for her community. She was working-mom throughout her life, she displayed her vigor, ethics, and common-sense leadership style while managing Torrington’s S&H Green Stamps retail store, Reibman’s and the Gazebo clothing stores; and then flexing her entrepreneurial spirit and cooking talents she moved on to start her own, long-running restaurant business, Dee’s Delicatessen, which subsequently grew, with the help of her daughter Joanne, into the locally popular Dee’s and Joanne’s Restaurant and catering business. And then she turned her sights on her hopes and dreams for the city of Torrington. With her restaurant serving as the hub of conversation on all-things-Torrington, she had grown weary of the lack of progress she saw and heard debated in her restaurant. She believed she could be a better leader and was eager to prove it.

Dee was a leader that somehow managed to be low-key and high-profile at the same time. She could make a Teamster blush. Her legacy is one of competence and accomplishment. She became involved in local government in the late 70’s, serving on the city’s Civil Service Commission, and then its City Council. From 1985 to 1995 she served five two-year terms as the town’s mayor, the first woman to hold the post. The term public service accurately describes her tenure as the city’s mayor; she notably restored faith in city governance. During her decade as mayor, she reformed the police department, modeled integrity, modernized government, rebuilt infrastructure, enhanced support networks, grew the economy and made every citizen – as well as Barbara Bush, Nancy Johnson, and Ella Grasso - feel welcomed in her office. Her spirit of openness, and capacity to get things done extended to the daily “Meet the Mayor” open-mike radio program she initiated and hosted on the local radio station. The show, and her tenure as civil servant, were a testament to her character. 

Dee’s granddaughter Tara attests to her Nanna’s impact on her life: “I never in my life thought that there was a job I couldn’t have because I’m a woman.” Dee was a sassy, authentic, loving force to be reckoned with, and a woman to admire and emulate. She served her community and asked little in return. But, when she did ask, she was serious about it, whether it was for a community project, or support for a local cause. She will be remembered for her joy of life and abiding acts of kindness.

After leaving office Dee stayed close to her roots, spending time with her grandchildren, as a hospice volunteer, a member of the support staff at Phalen’s Funeral Home, and working at Wisdom House in Litchfield, where she also was host of a television show called ''Cooking with Wisdom.” She was a parishioner of St. Peter’s Church in Torrington, and for years has celebrated the Eucharist through the Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford’s daily television mass. 

Dee is survived by a loving family that includes her two children, Joanne Donne and her partner Walter Nowakowski, and Louis Donne Jr. and wife Deborah; three grandchildren, Tara Donne, Matthew Donne, and Mark Donne and his partner Bharathi Sundaresh; nieces Karen Kozlak and her husband Tom Kozlak, and Karla Nebiolo and her husband Paul Hamlin; and grandniece Rhiannon Carile and her husband Steve Carile, and their children Mia and Marley; and grandnephews Raymond Michna and his wife Jenna, and their child Ryleigh; Dr. Scott Kozlak and his wife Dr. Kaitlin Peretto; and Bryan Kozlak and his wife Courtney Kozlak; and many Paniati cousins. 

The family will be forever grateful to the numerous caregivers who wonderfully supported Dee in the final years of her life, including Ann, Rhonda, Darlene, Michele, and Anna Maria.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, May 19, from 9AM to 10:30AM at Phalen Funeral Home in Torrington; a Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11AM at St. Peter’s Church in Torrington, with burial thereafter at St Peter’s Cemetery in Torrington. www.phalenfuneral.com

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a donation to the Friendly Hands Food Bank of Torrington, Fish Pantry of Torrington, Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Litchfield County, or the charity of your choice.

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