Donna Schanz

Obituary for Donna Marie Schanz (neé Zarembski) Beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and wife, Donna Marie Schanz of Stamford, CT, age 76, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2021 at 7:42am. Donna was born on July 21, 1944, coming into this world at the same hour she left it: 7:42am. She was the oldest of the eight children of Bernard and Helen (Sobolewski) Zarembski of Stamford. Donna attended Holy Name of Jesus School and Stamford High School, and helped to raise her younger siblings. In 1962, she married her first husband, photographer Robert Schanz and became a mother to her only son, all when she was just 18 years old: a bold age to decide to become a mother, but Donna was determined! One could say that Donna was a jack of all trades: she was one of the first women members of the Stamford Police Force in the 1970s, worked for a time in real estate and then in retail. She was an outstanding artist and decorator. Donna also had a passion for flowers, which eventually led her into a career of retail flower management. She was always admired for the way she could keep a bouquet of flowers alive and fresh for weeks! The secret: remove the stamens and any dried petals to keep the live ones in the bunch flourishing. Donna also had a great love of the sea and was a member of the Halloween Yacht Club for many years, taking her grandchildren, nieces and nephews out on many memorable boat rides. She was happiest when in or on the water. She also loved dancing and saw her son and youngest sister Kim through ballroom dancing school, and accompanied them on many competitions all over the United States. Donna had a quirky sense of humor, was a master of funny faces, and always said what was on her mind. She also prided herself on her sharp mind and memory, which, for all who surrounded her, knew this to be true. You couldn’t get anything past her, and she’d let you know about it! She also always loved to have her hair done, to perfection!! One of her favorite songs, which she sung until the end of her life, was Sinatra’s “I did it my way.” She certainly always did, and for this, and for many other reasons, she will be greatly missed. Donna is survived by her son Craig Schanz and husband Donald Santagata, both of Stamford, grandchildren Deanna and Callan Schanz of Yonkers, and siblings Tanya Heurlin and Kevin, Gary and Brian Zarembski. She is predeceased by her parents, and siblings Greg Zarembski, Laureen Gianfrancesco and Kim Cucco. She leaves behind many loved nieces and nephews—too many to mention, but nonetheless especially precious and important to her. The family would like to especially thank Bosak Funeral Home, and her nurses Maria and Keith at Stamford Hospital, who protected her and took loving care of her in her final days. Family welcomes all relatives and friends on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the Bosak Funeral Home, 453 Shippan Ave, Stamford, CT. At 7pm of that evening, family, friends and mourners will partake in a collective eulogy and memorial, sharing memories and anecdotes about Donna's rich life as we give our final goodbyes. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2021 at 9:30am at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 325 Washington Blvd, Stamford, CT 06902. Interment will follow at Fairfield Memorial Park Cemetery, 230 Oaklawn Ave, Stamford, CT. For the safety of all those attending her funeral services, please wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. To leave an expression of sympathy for Donna’s family online, you may sign the guestbook at www.bosakfuneralhome.com or visit the funeral home Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bosakfuneralhome.

Donna Schanz

July 21, 1944 - July 2, 2021