ELISENA (TRILLI) McDONAGH
Age 65, of Ross Twp., passed away on Friday, November 6, 2026. She was at home, in hospice care, with her husband and children by her side. Elisena was born on August 20, 1962, in Bloomfield, in the City of Pittsburgh. Elisena was affectionately known as “Lisa” by her family and friends. To her husband, she was “Angel”, “Elly”, and “Schmoofie.”  Lisa was the beloved wife of John M. McDonagh; loving mother of John Loreto and Brianna Elisena; dear sister of Ippolito (Cindy) Trilli; dear sister-in-law of Joseph (Peggy) McDonagh; and Lisa Ann McDonagh.  Lisa is also survived by nieces, Nicole and Meggan; nephews, Nicholas, Devin, and Brian; and her great niece, Marley.
Lisa is predeceased in death by her parents, Egidio Loreto Trilli and Livia (Santucci) Trill.  Lisa was a beautiful and loving daughter.  During her father’s illness, Lisa brought him to her home and cared for him up until his death.
Lisa was a proud and distinguished graduate of Duquesne University.  After graduation, Lisa served as an Assistant Manager for a small savings and loan bank in Bloomfield.  She was instrumental in establishing an honest relationship with the residents of Bloomfield, particularly with the Italian immigrants.  Because Lisa was fluent in Italian, she was able to work with the Italian immigrants in the neighborhood; they trusted Lisa and valued her honesty.
Later, Lisa worked in the Litigation Department at Westinghouse Electric Corporation where she met, by God’s wonderful design, her future husband, John. Later, Lisa worked for the law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott.  Once she and John had their first child, Lisa stayed at home to provide a warm and loving home for her family.  In addition, she found time to manage rental property.
One of Lisa’s greatest joys was cooking the lunch meals for the school children at St. Sebastian School (now Holy Cross Academy).  There, she was known to all the children as “Mrs. M”.  Her unique style of home cooking, blended with her Nonna’s Italian seasoning techniques transformed the school cafeteria into a culinary delight for students, teachers and staff.  She prepared, organized, and cooked the Lenten Fish Fries with Fr. Bill Terza at St. Sebastian Church (now Our Lady of Mount Carmel).  One year, KDKA Channel 2 News featured Lisa for her exceptional fish dinners.  Lisa also cooked the meals for the Summer Festival at St. Sebastian Church.  She also prepared and cooked the lunch meals for the Summer Bible School Program at St. Sebastian School.  It didn’t stop there, she prepared and cooked the dinners for the Knights of Columbus Night at the Races events.  At the conclusion of the one event, an attendee brought her own containers to take the remaining dinners home with her.  She baked cookies for neighbors and friends whose children were celebrating life events like weddings and graduations.  She also participated in the St. Sebastian School PTG.  As a board member of the PTG, Lisa directed the annual Steelers/Parent-Teacher fund raiser basketball game. It was an event that Lisa cherished because it brought the students and teachers together in a happy and spirited gathering. 
In a variety of ways, Lisa gave her time and talent to the school and church, including learning how to play the handbells to participate in the Christmas Mid-night mass.
Whether she cooked or baked for the family or for hundreds of people, Lisa did it as an expression of her love for people.  She received so much joy watching people eat the meals she prepared and hear them asking for seconds and thirds.
Our family beach vacations were perfect; Lisa made certain we made our travels safe and our times in the surf and sun safe, joyful, and memorable.  The multiple relics of the beach that decorate our home effuses the richness of Lisa’s personality and her love for the beach.
Please pray for Lisa and her family.  In the days ahead, if you should be in a church, or at some point in your day, at home, please light a candle in remembrance of Lisa.  She loved candles.
Thank you to the people at Good Samaritan Hospice Care and the staff at UPMC Passavant. They provided love and support for Lisa and her family during the difficult battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  Also, thank you to all family and friends who stood by us every step of the way.  Your prayers, love, and support sustained us.

Friends will be received at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy., Pgh, PA 15229 on Thursday November 12, 2026, 2-4 pm and 6-8pm. Mass of Christian burial in St. Sebastian Church, 311 Siebert Rd., Pgh, PA 15237 on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 10:30AM.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Franciscan Mission Associates.           

In memory of Lisa’s life and her spirit she left behind we share this poem:  

If tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see,If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you care for me, and how much I care for you,
and each time that you think of me I know you’ll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready in heaven far above,
and that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I’d always thought I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do.
it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for a while,
I’d say goodbye and hug you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things that I’d miss come tomorrow.
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, “This is eternity and all I’ve promised you,
Today your life on earth is past but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last.
and since each day’s the same, there’s no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting, so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn’t do.
And you have been forgiven and now, at last, you’re free.
So won’t you come and take my hand and share my life with me?”

So if tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me, please know I’m in your heart. – David Romano