Donna M. Cardone Almeter

Canaseraga --- Donna Marie Cardone Almeter, 67, of Canaseraga passed away, succumbing to cancer on November 15, 2019 at The Vincent House, Wayland.  She was born on July 20, 1952 in Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, a daughter of late Mauro and Loretta Christoforetti Cardone. 

She volunteered for many things throughout her life.  Among many other activities, she took care of those dying of cancer at several Hospice locations, including the Batavia Crossroads House, as well as fed and helped the homeless at St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy Catholic Church in Buffalo.  She was President of the Wyoming County Cancer Society for 9 years, and hosted a Family Type Home for Adults, caring for the mentally ill elderly for 21 years in her own home.

Singing was one of her biggest passions in life.  She started the choir at St. Joachim & Ann’s (formerly, St. Joseph’s) Catholic Church and was the music director there for many years.  She professionally sang for numerous weddings and funerals throughout her life, and for 2 years, appeared many times on TV for Fox Network’s televised Masses singing with her sister Maury. 

Cosmetology was one of her other biggest passions.  She was well known in the community for her salon, Belladonna’s in Attica.  She learned much of what she knew from her time working at Putting on the Glitz in Warsaw during her 30’s.  She was hired to do hair and makeup for many weddings throughout the course of her life, and taught seminars about makeup at various colleges and universities.  She also ordered and styled wigs for cancer patients, and would do their makeup to feel more dignified.

Ultimately, her greatest passion in life was God.  She got her Certified Religious Education (CRE) certification and taught Catechism at St. Joachim & Ann’s Catholic Church in Varysburg for many years.   During that time, she received a Pastoral Assistant Certification from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora.  Her love for evangelization touched hundreds of people due to her vast knowledge, ability to convey the teachings of the faith in the most comprehensible way, and by her life’s example.  She gave her faith-filled heart out to everyone she met, no matter whom the person was or the circumstance surrounding their encounter.   Her faith and love of evangelization paid off since her greatest wishes were realized; to receive absolution as well as all of the final sacraments moments before she passed, which were administered by her son, Fr. Cory Mayer, as well as to be surrounded by her children.

Surviving is her fiancé, Chris Green of Canaseraga, her children, Kurt (April) Mayer of CA., Fr. Cory Mayer of FL, Teresa Mayer of Canaseraga, and Jessie Almeter of Saratoga Springs; her grandchildren, Scott Ward of NC, Payton Mayer of CA, her siblings Roseanne (Colin) McGovern of Henrietta, Maury (Mike LaVarnway) Fountain of Attica, Michael (Sydney) Cardone of NC., Dominic (Chris) Cardone of MD., Daniel Cardone of Attica and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents she was predeceased by a grandson, Anthony Mayer.

Family and friends may gather from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, November 22, 2019 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home, 21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore and from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 23, 2019 in St. Patrick's Church, Fillmore where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:00 pm. Fr. Cory Mayer will be celebrant, Fr. Dennis JJ Mancuso, Fr. John Cullen and Fr. Robert Moreno will be concelebrating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Fillmore.

In lieu of flowers memorials if desired to: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6 North Street, Canaseraga, NY 14822. 

Special thanks to St. James Mercy Hospital in Hornell and The Vincent House for providing care and aid to Donna in her final months.

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