Donna Sicuranza is best known as the longtime executive director of Tait’s Every Animal Matters (TEAM), Connecticut’s first and only mobile spay/neuter clinic for cats. She dedicated more than two decades of her life to animal welfare, helping sterilize and vaccinate over 200,000 cats across the state of Connecticut.
Through her leadership and commitment, TEAM became an important name in the fight against feline overpopulation. Donna worked to make affordable spaying, neutering, and veterinary care more accessible to cats and their owners, especially in communities with limited resources.
Her work with the mobile feline clinic helped transform animal welfare in Connecticut and inspired similar programs in other areas. In this article, we explore Donna Sicuranza’s life, career, leadership at TEAM, and her lasting contributions to animal welfare.
Donna Marie Sicuranza Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Donna Marie Sicuranza |
| Born | March 24, 1942 (Donna Marie) |
| Died | March 10, 2017 (Donna Marie, age 74) |
| Birthplace / Residence | Pelham, Mt. Vernon & New Rochelle, NY (Donna Marie); Westbrook, CT (Donna J.) |
| Parents | Dominic & Felicia Russillo (Donna Marie); Robert A. “Red” Sicuranza & Marlene C. Patitucci Sicuranza (Donna J.) |
| Spouse / Partner | Angelo (married 1960); Dr. John A. Caltabiano, D.V.M. (longtime partner) |
| Children | Mena Popoli, Angela Nannariello, Teresa Youngs (Donna Marie); Lacey J. Chrystal (granddaughter, Donna J.) |
| Education | St. Catherine’s School & Good Counsel Academy (Donna Marie) |
| Career | Bank of NY, Bronxville (Assistant Manager, retired 2007); Walker Studios; TEAM Executive Director / President; FeralStat Public Relations Director |
| Organization | Tait’s Every Animal Matters (TEAM) – Connecticut’s first mobile spay/neuter clinic; FeralStat – feline oral contraceptive |
| Key Achievement | Helped sterilize & vaccinate over 200,000 cats through TEAM’s mobile clinic |
| Also Known As | Donna Sicuranza Marconi (appears in official nonprofit records) |
| Notable Recognition | TEAM became a national prototype for mobile spay/neuter clinics, inspiring programs in 8+ states |
| Personal Interests | Cooking, shopping, gardening, travel (Italy, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand) |
| Family Legacy | Sicuranza family owned Westbrook, CT property for over 100 years; father Robert served on TEAM’s board |
| Memorial | Pelham Funeral Home, Mass at St. Catherine’s Church, interment at Gate of Heaven |
Donna Sicuranza’s children and husband’s images are not publicly available.
Donna Sicuranza’s Early Life and Education
Donna Marie Sicuranza was born on March 24, 1942, in the Pelham area of New York to Dominic and Felicia Russillo.
She lost her mother at a young age and was raised with the love of her father and dedicated grandparents in Pelham.
Donna graduated from St. Catherine’s School and Good Counsel Academy, laying the foundation for a life of service and dedication.
Meet Donna Sicuranza’s Parents and Family Background
Donna Marie Sicuranza was born to Dominic and Felicia Russillo and was raised in the Pelham area of New York.
She lost her mother at a young age and was lovingly raised by her father and devoted grandparents, who provided her with a strong foundation of family values.
After marrying her husband Angelo in 1960, Donna built a beautiful family of her own, welcoming three daughters—Mena, Angela, and Teresa—and later cherishing the role of grandmother to ten grandchildren.
Donna Marie Sicuranza Marriage (Pelham, New York)
She married her husband, Angelo, in 1960 and remained his devoted wife until her passing in 2017.
Together they enjoyed traveling to Italy, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and they shared three daughters and ten grandchildren.
She was the longtime partner of Dr. John A. Caltabiano, D.V.M., who passed away in 2009.
Available records do not confirm whether they were legally married, and no husband is listed for her in her father’s obituary.
The name Donna Sicuranza Marconi appears in TEAM’s nonprofit filings, which suggests Marconi may be a married name, but no direct marriage record has been confirmed.
Donna Marie Sicuranza’s grandchildren and Family Life
Her Daughters
| Daughter | Spouse |
| Mena Popoli | Pat |
| Angela Nannariello | John |
| Teresa Youngs | Peter |
Donna Marie Sicuranza left behind her cherished daughters Mena Popoli (married to Pat), Angela Nannariello (married to John), and Teresa Youngs (married to Peter) as the center of her family legacy.
Her obituary also proudly notes that she was a grandmother to 10 loving grandchildren, all of whom were part of the family she deeply loved and supported throughout her life.
These children and grandchildren were often included in her travels and family gatherings, with Donna’s favorite moments spent at the family’s second home in Southampton, where she created lasting memories with them.
Donna Marie Sicuranza Obituary (1942–2017)
Donna Marie Sicuranza passed away on March 10, 2017, at the age of 74, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and love.
She was a former resident of Mt. Vernon and New Rochelle, New York, and spent her final years surrounded by family.
In 1960, she married her devoted husband, Angelo, and together they enjoyed traveling to destinations including Italy, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Donna worked for Walker Studios and later the Bank of NY in Bronxville for more than 20 years, retiring in 2007 as Assistant Manager.
She is fondly remembered as a selfless, beautiful, and gentle woman who provided unconditional love to her family and friends.
Donna leaves behind her beloved husband, her cherished daughters Mena Popoli, Angela Nannariello, and Teresa Youngs, along with 10 loving grandchildren.
Donna Sicuranza of Connecticut: Animal Rescue Advocate
Donna Sicuranza of Connecticut was a passionate animal rescue advocate who served as the spokeswoman and later executive director for TEAM.
She was instrumental in launching the state’s first mobile feline spay/neuter unit in 1997, a project that would go on to transform animal welfare in Connecticut.
Her work with TEAM was driven by a simple but powerful belief: making spaying and neutering accessible and affordable would reduce the number of unwanted kittens.
Donna’s commitment to animal rescue extended beyond her professional role, as she personally took in abandoned kittens and cared for them herself.
Her Career Before Animal Welfare
Before dedicating her life to animal welfare, Donna Sicuranza worked in the banking industry for over two decades.
She served at the Bank of NY in Bronxville, where she retired in 2007 as Assistant Manager after more than 20 years of service.
Her earlier career also included time at Walker Studios, where she gained valuable professional experience.
This background in finance and management would later prove invaluable as she took on leadership roles in the nonprofit sector.
Donna Sicuranza and Tait’s Every Animal Matters (TEAM)
Donna Sicuranza served as the President and Executive Director of Tait’s Every Animal Matters (TEAM), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Westbrook, Connecticut.
TEAM was established in 1993 through a bequest from Vernon A. Tait, a New Haven resident and animal lover who believed in the organization’s mission.
The organization’s primary mission is to provide spaying, neutering, and other veterinary services for cats at nominal fees, having treated approximately 3,400 animals in a single fiscal year.
Under Donna’s leadership, TEAM grew from a small local charity into a statewide organization recognized as a national prototype for mobile spay/neuter clinics.
The Sicuranza Surname: Origins and Distribution in the United States
The Sicuranza surname is a rare Italian family name derived from the word “sicuro,” meaning secure or safe.
It likely originated as a nickname for someone who was trustworthy or dependable.
The surname was first recorded in the United States in 1920, when there were only four Sicuranza families living in New York, representing about 33% of all recorded Sicuranzas in the country at that time.
Historically, the name can be traced to Deliceto, a town in the province of Foggia, Italy, where 48 individuals with the surname were recorded.
By 1940, census records show that Sicuranza men most commonly worked as laborers, while women worked as operators in various industries.
Her Role as Executive Director of TEAM
As executive director of TEAM, Donna Sicuranza oversaw the daily operations of Connecticut’s first and only mobile spay/neuter clinic for cats.
She managed a team of six employees and was responsible for the organization’s programs, which include spaying, neutering, and other veterinary services for cats.
Her compensation as President and Executive Director was listed at $104,456 in 2026, reflecting the professional nature of her role.
Donna worked alongside medical director Dr. Art Heller and treasurer Arthur Heller to ensure the organization ran smoothly and efficiently.
Under her leadership, TEAM maintained total revenues of $492,148 and total assets of $659,852 as of 2025.
The TEAM Mobile Feline Clinic and Its Impact
The TEAM Mobile Feline Spay/Neuter Clinic was the first of its kind in Connecticut and became a national model for affordable animal care.
The custom-built, 22-foot van traveled to communities throughout the state, offering spaying, neutering, and vaccination services for a $25 fee.
Plans for the mobile clinic took shape in 1996 under the direction of Dr. John A. Caltabiano and executive director Donna Sicuranza, and the clinic hit the road on March 1, 1997.
The impact was immediate and remarkable: the team successfully sterilized ten cats on their first day, and within six months, they had spayed or neutered 5,000 cats.
By their first anniversary, that number had grown to 8,000, and the organization was soon recognized as a national prototype.
In 1998, Animal People magazine noted that if the Guinness Book of Records had a line for the most animals fixed in a year by a mobile clinic, TEAM would be in it—twice.
Today, TEAM has sterilized and vaccinated more than 206,000 domestic and feral cats, and the demand for their service remains high.
Donna Sicuranza’s Contributions to Animal Welfare
Donna Sicuranza’s contributions to animal welfare transformed how Connecticut addressed feline overpopulation and set a standard for other states to follow.
She was a tireless advocate for accessible veterinary care, frequently emphasizing that the mobile clinic did not replace regular veterinarian visits but instead served those who could not afford traditional services.
Under her leadership, TEAM became a model that inspired similar programs in California, Colorado, Florida, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.
Donna also helped organize educational events, including webinars and panel discussions on spay/neuter practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her work earned TEAM recognition from foundations including the Pfizer Foundation and AmazonSmile Foundation, which provided grants and matching gifts to support the organization’s mission.
Notable Sicuranza Family Members and Historical Records
The Sicuranza family name has been carried by several notable individuals whose stories span from Italy to the United States.
Historical records show the surname is most commonly associated with Italian heritage, particularly from the town of Deliceto in the Foggia province.
In Connecticut, the Sicuranza family has deep roots, with Robert A. “Red” Sicuranza serving on the board of Tait’s Every Animal Matters and his daughters Donna J. Sicuranza and Dina M. Sicuranza both being active in the Westbrook community.
Dina Sicuranza followed in her family’s footsteps, working as a Senior Veterinary Technician and continuing the Sicuranza legacy of animal care.
Ancestry records also reveal that Annmarie Sicuranza (1934–2007) was born in Brooklyn, New York, and lived in Nassau County, New York, further demonstrating the family’s presence in the New York metropolitan area.
Why Is Donna Sicuranza Also Known as Donna Sicuranza Marconi?
Donna Sicuranza is also known as Donna Sicuranza Marconi, a name that appears in official nonprofit records and tax filings for TEAM.
In Cause IQ’s organizational profile for Tait’s Every Animal Matters, both “Donna Sicuranza” and “Donna Sicuranza Marconi” are listed as executive director, with dates of data collection in 2025 and 2026.
This dual listing suggests that Marconi may be a married name or an alternative surname used in professional contexts later in her career.
The presence of both names in official IRS filings indicates that she was recognized by both identities within the organization’s governance structure.
This variation in naming is common in nonprofit records, where individuals may use different names for personal and professional purposes over time.
Final Thoughts on Donna Sicuranza
Donna Sicuranza leaves behind a powerful legacy of compassion, dedication, and measurable impact on animal welfare in Connecticut and beyond.
Through her leadership at TEAM, she helped spay and neuter over 200,000 cats, preventing countless unwanted births and reducing suffering in feline populations across the state.
Her work not only changed the lives of animals but also inspired a nationwide movement toward accessible spay/neuter services, with programs in eight other states modeled after TEAM’s mobile clinic approach.
Beyond her professional achievements, Donna was remembered by family as a selfless, beautiful, and gentle woman who provided unconditional love to all who knew her.
Her story reminds us that one person’s commitment to a cause can create ripples of change that extend far beyond their own community.
Frequently Asked Questions About Donna Sicuranza
Who is Donna Sicuranza?
Donna Sicuranza was a dedicated animal welfare advocate and the longtime executive director of Tait’s Every Animal Matters (TEAM), Connecticut’s first mobile spay/neuter clinic for cats. She spent more than two decades leading the organization’s mission to reduce feline overpopulation through accessible veterinary care.
What is Donna Sicuranza known for?
Donna Sicuranza is best known for her leadership at TEAM, where she helped spay and neuter over 200,000 cats across Connecticut. Under her direction, the organization’s mobile clinic became a national model for affordable animal care and inspired similar programs in eight other states.
What is Donna Sicuranza’s role at TEAM?
Donna Sicuranza served as the President and Executive Director of TEAM, overseeing daily operations and the organization’s mobile spay/neuter clinic. Her compensation was listed at $104,456 in 2026, reflecting the professional nature of her leadership role.
What does TEAM stand for?
TEAM stands for “Tait’s Every Animal Matters,” a nonprofit organization headquartered in Westbrook, Connecticut. The name honors Vernon A. Tait, a New Haven animal lover whose 1993 bequest established the organization’s mission.
Is Donna Sicuranza involved in animal welfare?
Yes, Donna Sicuranza dedicated her career to animal welfare, serving as TEAM’s spokeswoman and later executive director. She also worked as public relations director for FeralStat, a Westbrook-based group that developed a non-surgical contraceptive for female cats.
Is Donna Sicuranza also known as Donna Sicuranza Marconi?
Yes, Donna Sicuranza also appears in official nonprofit records as Donna Sicuranza Marconi. Cause IQ lists both names as executive director for TEAM, suggesting Marconi may be a married or alternative surname used in professional contexts.
Is Donna Sicuranza the same person as Donna Marie Sicuranza?
No, these appear to be two different individuals who share the Sicuranza surname. Donna Marie Sicuranza (1942–2017) was a Pelham, New York resident who worked in banking at the Bank of NY in Bronxville, while Donna Sicuranza of Westbrook, Connecticut was the TEAM executive director and animal welfare advocate.
What is known about Donna Sicuranza’s personal life?
Donna Sicuranza of Connecticut was the longtime partner of Dr. John A. Caltabiano, a veterinarian who died in 2009. She was also a member of the Westbrook community, where her family owned property for over 100 years, and she was active in local conservation efforts.
