Alaina O'Donnell

Emily O'Donnell is organizing this fundraiser.

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My sister Alaina O’Donnell (41) passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 27, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after an extended period of illness. Born October 23, 1982, to Ruth and Charles O’Donnell, she was beloved by her family and friends. Alaina grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, and later lived in Kilkenny, Ireland, as a young artist. She later moved to Philadelphia, and then spent several years living in both Denver, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Alaina is survived by her two children, Aurian Fae Wolfe (19), and Tanthalas Charles Wolfe (15); her siblings Carolyn O’Donnell, Emily O’Donnell, Timothy O’Donnell, Shir’el Efrati, Gefen Efrati; her mother Ruth; her ex-husband Kyle Wolfe; her brothers-in-law Peter Choi and Robert Wallace; and her sister-in-law Tina Lountzis O’Donnell. Alaina was preceded into death by her father Charles O’Donnell (2007) and her dear friend Taylor Hart (2013).

Alaina worked for years as a pre-K instructor and enriched the lives of many children. She switched career paths eventually and later worked as a pharmacy tech and manager at Walgreen’s, where she was a frontline worker during the Covid-19 pandemic, administering lifesaving vaccines to the public. Regardless of her profession, Alaina always took care of the people around her, from her friends and family to complete strangers.

Alaina was bright and beautiful. She was an excellent hostess and chef, and the life of so many parties. She was kind and generous, always willing to feed anyone who needed comfort. She was witty and sarcastic, often hilarious, and brought joy to everyone she met. She was deeply creative and intuitive, with the ability to dream up fantastical worlds and see beyond the veil of this one.

Alaina was a talented artist who worked in a variety of mediums. Some of her artwork will be on display at her memorial service. Any who knew her are welcome to attend the service at Frank E. DeBor Funeral Home - 1065 Brookline Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15226 - on May 2, 2024 at 1pm. Her name will be engraved next to her father’s at a family plot in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania. Her ashes will be scattered by her siblings in Ireland at a future date.

We are raising funds to defray the funeral costs, anything is appreciated. Donations may also be made to a local animal shelter in Alaina's name, or you may plant a tree through Tree Pittsburgh.