Donna Jean "Aunt Donna" Ricci, died peacefully after a long illness on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Park Ridge Care Center in Illinois, where she had resided the last few years of her life.

Born in Chicago, Ill., on April 13, 1951, she was the daughter of Beverly Korstanje and Norman Ricci. She spent her early years in Chicago, attending the Klingberg North Side Special School. After moving to Des Plaines, she attended the Clearbrook Center in Arlington Heights, and later moved there as she began to work in their sheltered workshop.

As a young woman she lived and worked at the Riverside Foundation in Lincolnshire, Ill., before her failing health required a transfer to Park Ridge Care Center where she was provided with excellent and loving care by their dedicated staff.

Donna had few hobbies but enjoyed coloring, word search puzzles and music. She loved to dance, especially to Elvis and The Beatles. She could dance with the best and wore everyone out with her enthusiasm.

She cherished her family and always found a reason to talk and brag about having so many nieces and nephews. Her innocent and loving spirit was truly a blessing for our family and anyone who encountered Aunt Donna. She will be sadly and forever missed by all who knew her.

Donna is survived by her adoptive mother of many years, Patricia (John) Ricci-Mika; her sisters and brothers, Linda (Mark) Hennessey, David (Sue) Ricci, Carla Ricci and Michael Ricci; seven nieces and nephews; and six great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Beverly; her father, Norman; her brother, Scott; and sister, Calli.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7117 14th Avenue. Inurnment will follow in St. James Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass.

The family would like to thank the staff at Park Ridge Care Center, the wonderful nurses and other caregivers from Seasons Hospice and especially Dr. Brian Chicoine who truly understood her special needs and treated our Donna with such genuine concern.