Adela (Della) C. Donovan

Adela (Della) C. Donovan, age 83, of Wilmington, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, November 6, 2026.

Della was born in Wilmington, daughter of the late Guiditta and Valerio Pettinaro. Della graduated from Wilmington high school and was raised in the heart of "Little Italy". Della met the love of her life, Tommy, and the two were married for 61 years. Della and Tom had three boys, and Della's greatest joy was raising them and running the household. Della loved to joke, and enjoyed dancing at weddings, enjoyed cooking, and loved to poke fun at non-Italians version of Italian food. She also enjoyed stumbling upon a good garage sale. Her second greatest joy was being a grandmother to her grandchildren, whom never did anything wrong in her eyes.

In addition to her parents, Della was predeceased by her brother, Verino; sister, Vilma; and niece, Valeria Oakes, whom she held close to her heart.

Della is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Thomas C. Donovan; sons and their spouses, Michael (Marleen) Donovan, Anthony (Rosanna) Donovan, and Thomas (Tara) Donovan; grandchildren, Brandon, Ty, Ryan, Mia, Darien, Emma, Michael, and Gianna; brother, Leonard Iacono; sister, Vivian Brittingham; and numerous nieces, nephews, and close family friends whom she all loved.

A visitation for Della will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at the Mealey Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808, where friends and family may call from 10-11am, with a memorial services following at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Della's name to the Salvation Army.