Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Donna Magrone, a devoted Staten Island nurse, case manager and union advocate, died Sept. 22 at the age of 62. She dedicated her life to caring for others both inside and outside the hospital. In 1967, Donna and her family moved from Brooklyn to Dongan Hills, where she spent most of her life before later settling in Huguenot in 2012. Growing up in a close-knit household, she developed the empathy and sense of responsibility that would guide her through every stage of her nursing career. As a single mother raising her son, Vincent Lavin, Donna sought work close to home and quickly discovered her calling. She began her journey in health care at Staten Island University Hospital, working the night shift in the emergency room in Ocean Breeze. Her sister, Lori Iadisernia, recalled that Donna had always wanted to be a nurse, but ended up postponing her dream. “She originally wanted to go to nursing school out of high school, but then she didn’t,” said Lori. “I think she regretted it, but then she went back later in life and loved it.” In her 40s, Donna made the bold decision to go back to school and pursue her dream of becoming a nurse, putting herself through classes while maintaining her work schedule and raising her son. “She was very proud that she went back to school while having a son. She really built a career for herself,” added Donna’s son, Vincent Lavin. After earning her nursing degree and becoming a registered nurse in October 2008, Donna moved to the Critical Care Unit at SIUH, where she provided bedside care to patients with complex medical needs. In the unit, she was known not only for her clinical skill but also for her ability to connect with patients and families during some of the most stressful moments of their lives. Donna’s dedication and attention to detail did not go unnoticed. Her colleagues recognized her natural leadership and clinical skills. These qualities led to her involvement with medical education, a role in which she supported resident doctors and medical students by coordinating schedules, arranging housing, and providing guidance. “She was just that type of person who always wanted to fix things, to be there for people,” said Lori. In 2010, Donna became a discharge planner in home care. She was the essential bridge between the hospital, patients, and their families, ensuring that every patient discharged received the care and support they needed when leaving the hospital. Her dedication and skill led her to become a case manager in 2020, a position that built upon and expanded her earlier responsibilities. Donna was assigned to the Cardiac Unit, where she collaborated closely with an interdisciplinary team that included physicians, therapists, and bedside nurses. She was deeply involved in meeting patients’ needs while continuing to prioritize safe and well-coordinated discharges. “She was a take-charge person,” said Lori. “She knew what needed to be done. Whether it was family or patients, she did it with compassion.” Advocate and union leader Donna’s care extended far beyond her patients. In 2015, she played a key role in organizing case managers to join the New York State Nurses Association, where they advocated for fair hours, safer staffing, and better working conditions. She remained a steadfast voice throughout the negotiation process, which spanned 24 sessions over the course of a year and ultimately resulted in a finalized contract in February 2017. That same year, Donna deepened her commitment to advocacy by becoming a union delegate. Her work went beyond her own department. Donna traveled to Albany and Manhattan to represent her colleagues in negotiations. “She was proud to be part of it and to get better circumstances for all nurses,” said Vincent. By 2018, Donna had taken on a leadership role within the union, joining the executive committee as membership chair. She understood how vital it was for new hires to feel welcomed and informed about the union from the very beginning. Donna wasn’t just a strong staffing advocate; she worked tirelessly to organize and review the nurses’ “Protests of Assignment,“ a written document notifying the employer that a nursing assignment is unsafe. She reviewed hundreds of reports, especially during the pandemic, and was always determined to ensure nurses’ concerns were heard. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, when sandwiches and rice pudding were donated to boost morale, Donna graciously helped deliver them to nurses across every unit, making sure no floor was overlooked. A heart for community and friendship Outside work, Donna’s generosity and love of community shone through in everything she did. In 2008, her friend Barbara Federico, a longtime member of the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation Golf Outing Committee, invited Donna, along with childhood friends Diane Rodriguez, Andrea Culotta, and Maria Whalen, to help launch a new concept for the event called “The Pie Hole.” Each friend baked enough homemade treats for 150 people. Donna’s son, Vincent, often helped, hauling her 100-cup coffee urn and her signature pineapple upside-down cakes and baked goods to the event. The Pie Hole was an instant hit, quickly becoming a beloved tradition. Every year, golfers would come looking for those delicious pineapple cakes and other homemade goodies. Donna loved doing it every year, even taking a day off work to help out and serve coffee and cake to guests. Donna’s compassion also extended to children’s causes. Her family independently began the NYU Children’s Cancer Fund, an organization founded in honor of her nephew, Nicholas Pisano, who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 8. Donna not only helped organize the annual gala that raised money for pediatric cancer research, but also personally donated blood and platelets during his treatments. Her family remembered that period as one of deep generosity and strength, a hallmark of who she was. Outside her professional life, Donna found joy in simple, meaningful routines like crocheting, baking, and meeting friends for coffee. She was a loyal Starbucks regular and loved sharing quiet moments with loved ones over a cup of coffee. Her family even started the “Donna Movement,” encouraging friends to take time out of their busy days to meet someone for coffee in her honor. “She always made time to stop in,” said Lori. “She was always the one to come to everybody else.” Among her family’s fondest memories are “gingerbread days,” when Donna gathered her nieces and nephews each holiday season to build oversized gingerbread houses together. “She loved all the kids. All her nieces and nephews,” said Lori. “That was one of the best memories they all had.” Donna will be remembered by her son, Vincent Lavin, and his wife, Lauren Megan, who are expecting their first child. She shared a close bond with her sister, Lori Iadisernia, and brother-in-law, Anthony Iadisernia, as well as their children, AJ, Jason, and Alex. Donna held a special place in her heart for her cousin, Laura Pisano, and Laura’s children, whom she loved as her own. She was also the beloved niece of Marie Pancetti and cherished her many cousins, who were always by her side.
