Donahue, Gerald Richard, April 18, 2021.

Beloved son of the late Rose Fitzgerald Donahue and the late Dr. Hugh Carroll Donahue. Adored brother of Carroll Swan, cherished uncle of Thomas Swan III (Joe), and grand uncle of Sam, Rosie, Grace, Hope and Jake Swan. Gerald spent the greater part of his life as a member of the St. Coletta community where he touched the lives of so many people with his friendship, enthusiasm and faith.

Gerald, Gerry or Zip, was well known throughout the St Coletta and Jefferson communities.

When introducing himself, he would say, “My name is Gerald Donahue. I am an organist, horse lover and recycler.”  In his many years at St Coletta, Gerald would play organ by memory (taught by Sister Miriam Therese) for all masses and the Coletta Franciscan meetings.

His dream was to own a horse ranch. Even though that never came to fruition, he attended any event relating to horses. He even adopted a horse, Duke, at Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

In his free time, Gerald was a recycler of copper wire from cords and especially strings of Christmas lights. Many folks kept him in supply by his request.

He participated in many activities with his housemate of 26 years, Tim, spending time with Tim’s family, as well as his neighbors, and other special friends in the community.

Gerald knew his Jefferson community well, especially those people on his longtime paper route.

He was a Special Olympian, receiving a variety of medals for his different events. Gerald was a S.O. Athlete Health messenger sharing health advice.  He was also a member of the Consumer Leadership Committee and a St Coletta Ambassador.

Gerald had an enthusiasm for life ending his statements with a brisk “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah”

But above all else, Gerald was a man of Faith, sharing it with whomever he came into contact.

He will be missed by his St Coletta family as well as the many people who came to know him.

Burial will be at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, MA. Due to Covid restrictions, burial will be private.

St Coletta will hold a time of remembrance from 12:30-1:00pm and a Memorial Mass at 1:00pm on Thursday, April 29^th at the Little Flower Chapel for St Coletta clients.

These will be live streamed for other community members, family and friends to view. The link is: https://remote.stcolettawi.org

Matthew Leo Hoffman, age 59

Matt entered eternal life on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at St. Coletta of Wisconsin.  Matt was born on August 30, 1961, in Madison, Wisconsin, the beloved son of Leo George Hoffman and Beatrice Forge Hoffman.  In 1979, Matt was enrolled in St. Coletta High School, Jefferson, from which he graduated.  Matt was employed in various jobs until his retirement.  Through the years Matt participated in various St. Coletta Adult Special Education Classes and earned many ribbons in Special Olympics basketball, bowling, and track.  Matt loved music and dancing; his favorite song to dance to was “Staying Alive.”   He enjoyed fish fry outings with his friends and family.  On visits home, Matt attended Mass at St. Albert the Great Parish, Sun Prairie, where he enthusiastically sang hymns with his own unique voice.  Matt looked forward to family vacations at Ephraim in Door County where he would ride in a horse-drawn carriage, stop at Wilson’s for an ice cream cone, and eat cherry pie at a fish boil.  Another favorite spot was the Merrimac Ferry.  Matt was a diehard Packer fan who owned many Packer shirts.  For his birthday, he always requested an ice cream cake decorated in green and gold.  Matt’s Support Staff described him as smiling, caring, helpful, funny, and kind.  Matt will be remembered for his smile and his love of dancing.  He danced his way through 41 years of life with his friends and the staff of the St. Coletta Community.  Matt is survived by his sister, S. Frances Hoffman, O.P., his brother-in-law, Perry John Haugen, his nephew, Perry L. (Renee) Haugen, his grand-nephews, Perry Andrew and Alex, and his cousins.  Matt was preceded in death by his parents and a dear sister, Barbara Haugen.  The family would like to express thanks to the staff of Dower Home for their loving and compassionate care of Matt during his illness.  Memorials may be made to St. Coletta of Wisconsin.