Maria Donatucci
Encyclopedia
Maria Donatucci is a Democratic
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 185th district, which includes parts of Delaware
and Philadelphia
counties. She was elected in February 2011.
and is the only child of stand-up comedian Phil Jaye
and Jean Patelmo. She graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls
in 1972 and attended Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia Community College, Pierce Junior College, and Temple University
.
In 1984 Donatucci married Robert Donatucci
, who was then a state representative from the 185th district. They had two children together, Dierdre and Thomas.
Donatucci has worked in various positions for the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
during the 1970s and the 1980s, as well as working as an adjudicator for Philadelphia's Bureau of Administrative Adjudication. She has also served as a board member for the Lions Club, from which she received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Outstanding Community Service in 2007.
She serves on the Aging & Adult Older Services, Urban Affairs, and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committees in the House.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
from the 185th district, which includes parts of Delaware
Delaware County, Pennsylvania
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties....
and Philadelphia
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
-History:Tribes of Lenape were the first known occupants in the area which became Philadelphia County. The first European settlers were Swedes and Finns who arrived in 1638. The Netherlands seized the area in 1655, but permanently lost control to England in 1674...
counties. She was elected in February 2011.
Personal life
Donatucci was born and raised in South PhiladelphiaSouth Philadelphia
South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south, and the Schuylkill River to the west.-History:...
and is the only child of stand-up comedian Phil Jaye
Phil Jaye
Philip Joseph Patelmo was a stand up comedian and impressionist known by his stage name Phil Jaye. Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Phil Jaye was an entertainment icon from South Philadelphia , which produced the likes of Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Joey Bishop and Sherman Hemsley...
and Jean Patelmo. She graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls
Philadelphia High School for Girls
The Philadelphia High School for Girls, also known as Girls' High, is a public university-preparatory magnet high school for girls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. As its name suggests, the school's enrollment is all female....
in 1972 and attended Philadelphia College of Art, Philadelphia Community College, Pierce Junior College, and Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
.
In 1984 Donatucci married Robert Donatucci
Robert Donatucci
Robert Donatucci was a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 185th Legislative District from 1980 until his death in 2010....
, who was then a state representative from the 185th district. They had two children together, Dierdre and Thomas.
Donatucci has worked in various positions for the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority
The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, with the legal name of "Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia", was created by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Urban Redevelopment Law of 1945...
during the 1970s and the 1980s, as well as working as an adjudicator for Philadelphia's Bureau of Administrative Adjudication. She has also served as a board member for the Lions Club, from which she received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for Outstanding Community Service in 2007.
House career
Donatucci was elected to the House in 2011 in a special election after the death of her husband, Robert, the previous incumbent. According to her biography on her official website (http://www.pahouse.com/donatucci/bio.asp), she will focus fighting crime and public safety while serving in the House.She serves on the Aging & Adult Older Services, Urban Affairs, and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness committees in the House.