Donna Lee Matthews Mazza, 81, of Tinton Falls, passed away peacefully Dec. 12, 2025. Born Oct. 9, 1944, in Red Bank, Donna was a lifelong Monmouth County resident whose warmth, dedication and love for family and friends defined her life.
Donna was raised in Red Bank and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School in 1962. Following high school, she began her career as a secretary in the engineering offices at Bell Laboratories in Holmdel. She later devoted 27 years to serving as secretary to the principal at Markham Place School in Little Silver, where she was known for her reliability, kindness and commitment to the school community. During this time, Donna also enjoyed being an Avon Lady, connecting with neighbors and friends in the community she loved.
Donna and her beloved husband raised their three sons in Little Silver before she later moved to Tinton Falls. She cherished simple joys – sunny-day drives, luncheons with her many friends and relatives, and staying closely connected with loved ones through her daily Facebook posts. Her friendships were lasting, and her presence brought comfort and familiarity to all who knew her.
Donna was predeceased by her high school sweetheart and devoted husband of 47 years, Joseph A. Mazza Sr.; her parents, Donald and Beatrice Matthews; and her parents-in-law, Dominick and Barbara Bruno Mazza.
She is survived by her brother, Donald Matthews, and his wife Cynthia; son Joseph Mazza Jr. and his wife Diane; son Dominick Mazza and his wife Jennifer; and son Kevin Mazza. Donna was a proud grandmother to 10 grandchildren – Keith, Justin, Michael, John, Nicholas, Sophia, Jordan, Ryan, Alison and Meghan – and a loving great-grandmother to Brayden, Brody, Mikayla and Violet.
Donna’s legacy is one of devotion to family, steadfast friendship and a life well lived. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate to know her.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 19 at St. James Church, 94 Broad St., Red Bank. Burial will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Donna to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or the Red Bank Catholic Alumni Association at Red Bank Catholic High School, Attn: Office of Advancement, 112 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the December 18 – 24, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
