Francis Eugene Donnelly, affectionately known as “Gene,” 87, of Wilmington and Rehoboth, peacefully passed away on April 17, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital under the care of Delaware Hospice.
Gene was born in Baltimore to the late Mary (Neck) and John Francis Donnelly. He was a proud graduate of Calvert Hall College High School. He earned an associate degree in broadcasting at Baltimore Junior College and a B.A. degree in Communications from Neumann University. He served 8 years in the Maryland National Guard.
Gene had a career in radio, television, and public relations in Baltimore before moving to Wilmington in 1970. From 1970 to 2000, Gene served as the Director of the Department of Communications for the Diocese of Wilmington, producing, and directing diocesan radio and television programming and acting as the diocesan spokesperson. He served under Bishops Thomas J. Mardaga, Robert E. Mulvee, and Michael A. Saltarelli.
Long active in community service, Gene was a founding trustee for Delaware Hospice, a member of the Advisory Board of Catholic Cemeteries, the community advisory board of WHYY-FM and TV, the Salvation Army, the American Cancer Society (Delaware Division), the Maryland, Delaware, and DC Press Association, the Maryland and Delaware Broadcasters Association, and the Public Relations Society of America (Delaware Chapter). He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
On April 3, 2024, Gene was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Marijon Remington Donnelly.
He will be deeply missed by his daughters, Fran Glick of Baltimore and Dee Dee Morris and her husband, Larry, of Wilmington, as well as his grandchildren, Hannah, Kitty, Sam, Christopher, and Sara.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Shipley and Weldin Roads at 11:30 a.m. Friends may call at the church after 10:30 AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to either Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchmans Road, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19702 or the Sunday Breakfast Mission, 110 Poplar St, Wilmington, DE 19801. Online condolences may be sent to mealeyfuneralhomes.com.
