Donna A. Applegate, 75, a native of Holmdel, was a beloved wife, mother and Grammy. A positive light to everyone she encountered, Donna was the foundation of her family. She was fun-loving, supportive, open and generous of spirit.
Donna was a graduate of Red Bank Regional High School and went on to serve as a clerk at Prudential Insurance in Newark. In 1975 Donna left Prudential der to start her family.
She was an active volunteer with many committees and organizations, including Girl Scouts and the Holmdel School District. Donna took pride in making her home a joyfully welcoming place for friends and family, and for anyone who needed a seat at the table. She enjoyed CBS soap operas, board games and puzzles, antiques, magazines devoted to home décor, and perhaps most of all, loving her grandchildren.
After morning chores on a summer day, the noon carillon at St. Catherine’s Church signaled it was time to head outside to her pool. A basket with a novel, a magazine, a hat and an FM radio was pure serenity to Donna. She loved flowers and beautiful landscaping and enjoyed celebrating all holidays with family and friends, but most specifically Thanksgiving.
Donna was predeceased by her parents William D. Ryder and Helen Lambertson Ryder. She resided in Red Bank with her husband of 52 years, Francis Wayne Applegate. She is survived by their children, Barbara Applegate and her wife Heather Drastal, James and his wife Erika, and Amy Applegate; and six grandchildren, Luis, Ryder, Tyler (and his mother Kim Zavetoski), Sutton, Gabriel and Gracie.
Donna is also survived by many friends, including her lifelong friends Dorothy Patterson, Sheila Harmyk and Mary Ann Cavallaro. She loved animals and had many pets over the years, including Suzy Q., her cat.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 29 at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 30 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank. Burial will follow at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro.
The article originally appeared in the August 29 – September 4, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
