Born Donna Santoro in Manhattan, her family spent summers on Staten Island until moving to Great Kills in 1949. She attended St. Clare’s School in Great Kills and graduated from New Dorp High School. Later on, she earned a degree in physical therapy from the College of Staten Island. Mrs. LaMendola had worked as a physical therapist at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Nursing Home, Stapleton and for T.I.P.S.E. (Toddlers and Infant Program for Special Education), as well as doing clerical work at Reuben Associates and at the Vanderbilt Nursing Home, Stapleton. She loved the beach, swimming, gardening and bicycling almost as much as she loved helping other people. “Her life was defined by love for others,” said her sister, Louise Santoro. “Even after she had gotten sick, she still insisted on helping her friends and neighbors as usual.” Mrs. LaMendola was a devoted member of Our Lady’s Pathways, a prayer and pilgrimage group, as well as a lector at St. Clare’s Church. (retrieved from http://www.silive.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2011/09/donna_lamendola_70.html)