University Times

Donna L. Luiso, a staff member in the Office of Institutional Advancement (IA), died suddenly on July 14, 2007, from complications due to surgery. She was 53.

A native of Bloomfield, Luiso joined the Pitt staff in 1998 as a supervisor of data entry in IA. At the time of her death, she was director of records management.

She formerly worked at UPMC Shadyside in a variety of positions including as a laboratory supervisor in the Specimen Processing Laboratory and as a secretary in the purchasing department.

Luiso was a professional member of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

A 1971 graduate of the former St. Paul Catholic High School, now Oakland Catholic, she attended Pitt as well as the Community College of Allegheny County.

She volunteered for various Pittsburgh charities, which included her serving as a guest bartender to raise money for muscular dystrophy and autism research.

With help from friends, family and colleagues, Luiso honored her late colleague Sue Steele by establishing the Susan A. Steele Student Resource Fund to provide financial support to non-traditional students at the University. In a tribute to Luiso, her colleagues have renamed the fund to honor her memory as well. The fund will be known as the Susan A. Steele and Donna L. Luiso Student Resource Fund.

Albert J. Novak Jr., vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement, said of Luiso: “Donna’s work ethic, candor, humor and thoughtfulness were what made her special to her colleagues and friends — we will miss her dearly.”

Luiso is survived by a daughter, Heather, a 1999 Pitt graduate; a son, Adam; sisters Nancy Alviani, Linda Jackman and Diane Forrester; a brother, Alfred “Butch” Dahma, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Her family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Susan A. Steele and Donna L. Luiso Student Resource Fund, University of Pittsburgh, 500 Craig Hall, Pittsburgh 15260 or another Pittsburgh-based charity.

—Mira Funari