Dona (Hinds) Ventura

Dona M. (Hinds) Ventura, 83, went to her eternal home to join her husband, Nick, on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with her loving children by her side.

Dona was a great storyteller…this is her story:

Dona was born in Utica, NY, on August 22, 1942, the only child of the late Donald and Marion (Glatt) Hinds.

As a child, Ogdensburg, NY, was a favorite place to visit, as her grandfather was one of her favorite people to spend time with. She loved hanging out with her cousins, causing a ruckus together. It was during that time she began enjoying traditional Sunday family dinners, which she later incorporated into her own life.

Her early interests included spending time with her parents, dancing, and singing around the piano with all of her children harmonizing along, and walking to the Parkway—despite the cold—to go ice skating.

She was educated in local schools and graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1960. She worked as a soda jerk in a local soda shop and loved spending time with her mother while she worked. Following high school, Dona attended the Utica School of Nursing, pursuing her LPN degree. During that time, she went bowling one night with her best friend, Marie Albano, and met the love of her life, Nicholas J. Ventura. She was so smitten that she chose not to complete her nursing degree, and within six months they were married on June 24, 1961. They moved to Quantico, VA, where Nick was stationed as a Marine—a role of which Dona was very proud. While there, Dona gave birth to their first child. After another year in Virginia, they returned to Utica, NY, where the rest of their family began.

After the birth of her second child, Dona returned to school and obtained her LPN in 1963. She worked in the ICU at St. Elizabeth Hospital. While raising her family and working, she also attended MVCC, earning her Associate’s Degree in Nursing and becoming a Registered Nurse in 1973. She went on to work in Labor and Delivery at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for many years and played a vital role in starting their Lamaze program to help new mothers prepare for childbirth. During this time, her family also grew with the arrival of her first two grandchildren.

In 1987, Dona lost her husband, Nick, to illness. She then left the hospital setting and explored other areas in healthcare, working briefly with a local eye doctor and in a GI practice. She rediscovered her passion for helping families when she began working at Mid-York Infertility, where she spent many years supporting hopeful parents. Bringing children into the world was something Dona was deeply passionate about.

Later in her career, she worked for the VNA and Senior Network Health, retiring just before turning 70. Even in retirement, she remained active, volunteering at the Imaging Center and always lending a helping hand. She balanced her career with being a hands-on mom and “Nonnie” to her large and loving family.

Dona also had a passion for travel. Some of her most memorable trips included Ireland, London, Italy, and Aruba—her favorite destination—where she was always ready for a good time.

We would be remiss not to mention that she was a die-hard Yankee fan who absolutely adored Derek Jeter. One of her greatest joys was attending a game at Yankee Stadium and having a conversation with Jeter’s father. She also attended a World Series game, proudly wearing her commemorative Yankee jacket filled with patches from the team’s victories. Another highlight was celebrating her birthday in a suite at Yankee Stadium, where the team surprised her with a cake.

Dona had many interests she shared with family and friends: skating at the Parkway, singing (whether around the piano with her children or to her beloved Backstreet Boys), dancing weekly, and reading and writing. She had a zest for life, always the life of the party, often with her staples of white zin, Smirnoff, and donuts close at hand. She took pride in driving her first new car, a Pontiac Grand Prix, sticking her head out the window and shouting, “Motor Trend Car of the Year!” She idolized Jackie O., loved family time—especially with her mother, who was truly her best friend—and always enjoyed a good laugh.

She is survived by her five children and two sons-in-law: Marie Graziano, Nicholas J. Ventura Jr., Michele (Paul) Sandock, Mary (Chris) Noga, and Carmella Ventura. She was the beloved “Nonnie Babies” to her grandchildren: Michael Jr. (Melissa) Graziano, Trisha (Frank) Pinnisi, Nicholas Graziano, Jenna, Karlee, Lauren, and Sophia Ventura, Brittany (Colburn Sherwood) and Abby Smith, Victoria (Bryn) Khoury, Michaela and Andrew Sandock, Joshua Noga, Jordan (A.J.) DeSimone, and Jaron (Michayla Cummings) Noga. She was also blessed with great-grandchildren: Aubrianna, Frankie, Harper, Hadley, Noella, Michael, Vittoria, Josephine, and Lorenzo—each one cherished deeply, as she often said, “Keep ’em coming!”

She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Marie Amodio—more like a sister and best friend—along with many nieces and nephews, including her nephew and Godson, Michael Amodio; she left many cousins including the Glatt and Stuessi families and her cousin, Francine DiSpirito, who was like another daughter; her dear friend, Sally Nelson; and countless close friends as well as her faithful 4-legged companion Rudolph “Punty”. She especially loved her monthly dinners at Symeon’s with her nurse crew, celebrating more than 60 years of friendship. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Nicholas J. Ventura Sr.; her son-in-law, Michael P. Graziano Sr., who was like a son to her; her grandson, Stephen Anthony Smith; her best friend, Marie Albano; and her canine companion, Diva.

The family wishes to give special thanks to her caregiver, Christine Giuliano, who went above and beyond with her care, compassion, and dedication. They are also forever grateful to Dr. Gus Koussa and Dr. Scott Brehaut, with whom she had the utmost respect, and cherished their friendship as they did hers. Special thanks also goes out to Nascentia Health for their wonderful in-home care, and to the staff at Oneida Health Care Hospital, whose compassion during her final days was immeasurable.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10 a.m., at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish. Relatives and friends may call on Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m., at The Matt Funeral Home, 700 Rutger St., at Mohawk St., Utica. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband in Calvary Cemetery. 

The Mohawk Valley Nurse Honor Guard will honor Dona’s last call to duty at 6:45 p.m.

Dona and Nick shared 26 loving years of marriage, raising their five children in Utica, NY, and later at their horse ranch in Frankfort, NY, before Nick’s passing in 1987. Dona often said she wished she could sit down and have dinner with him to show him all they had created—maybe now she can.

Online remembrances may be shared at MattFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org and/or The American Lung Association at lung.org

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