Donna Mae Cerullo

Donna Mae Cerullo was born on March 21, 1935, in Orland, California, and passed away peacefully on February 7, 2026, in Roseville, California, after a brief illness. She was a devoted mother to her children, Joe Cerullo Jr. (wife Madonna) and Rosemarie Hartley (husband Jim), and a doting grandma to her grandchildren Christopher Cerullo, Samantha Hartley, Teresa Cerullo, and Nick Hartley, as well as to her great-granddaughter Lianne Cerullo. Donna was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Joe Cerullo; her sister, Luella Tamagni; and two brothers, Ed Bronner and Bill Bronner. She is survived by her younger brother Gene Bronner of Missouri.

Donna grew up in Gridley, California, although for several years (during and immediately after World War II) she lived in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Oakwood, Oklahoma. While in school, Donna studied all forms of dancing, especially tap, ballroom, and hula; she and her sister, Luella, occasionally performed at various functions as the “Sweetheart Sisters.” She was also active in Future Homemakers of America and 4H and was vice-president of the Girls’ Club (Theo Rho). Academically, Donna enjoyed history, Latin, and psychology, and she was proud of her math, business, and bookkeeping skills, keeping the books for her father’s garage.

After graduating from Gridley Union High School, Donna worked for Shell Oil in Sacramento as a bookkeeper until she met and married her husband, Joe, who was a pharmacist serving in the U.S. Air Force at Beale Air Force Base, near Marysville. Shortly after they married, Donna and Joe relocated to Southern California (courtesy of the Air Force), where they soon put down roots in the then-new City of Lakewood and started a family.

Donna was a devoted wife and mother who volunteered in various capacities (often serving as treasurer) for various organizations, including the Women’s Parish Council of Saint Pancratius Catholic Church in Lakewood, the Girl Scouts of America, the Long Beach Pharmacists Auxiliary, and the California Pharmacists Association. She was also a skilled seamstress, an avid painter, an excellent cook (especially of Italian cuisine), and a gracious hostess.

After Joe retired and their children had graduated from college, married, and moved to northern California, Donna and Joe followed them, settling in Rocklin, where they lived for over 20 years—when they weren’t traveling, that is. Their wanderlust frequently took them abroad, often by cruise ship, to South America, Europe, and Asia, not to mention Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico. Donna was active at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Rocklin, especially with the Ladies Guild. A few years after Joe’s passing in 2018, Donna moved to Sunrise Senior Living of Rocklin, where she led an active and fulfilled life until her final illness. She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, and friends.

A viewing will be held on February 25, 2026, at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, located at 4450 Granite Drive, Rocklin, CA, from 10:30 AM to 10:45 AM, followed by a Mass starting at 11:00 AM. Private graveside services will take place on February 27, 2026, at Newcastle Cemetery, where Donna will be laid to rest alongside Joe.