A Journey Interrupted: The Tragic Loss of Donald and Maria Nunney
On August 15, 2025, a family road trip meant to mark a milestone in their eldest son’s life turned into an unimaginable tragedy. Donald Nunney, 55, and Maria Galindo Nunney, 50—devoted parents, beloved teachers, and pillars of their Cleveland community—lost their lives in a devastating car accident while driving to meet their son Noah near the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
They were accompanied by their two younger children, Lucia (15) and Leo (9), who survived the crash but sustained serious injuries. Their son Noah, 19, had been driving in a separate car behind them and witnessed the accident unfold—a trauma that would forever mark the day that was meant to be a celebration of new beginnings.
🏡 A Family Rooted in Love and Purpose
Donald and Maria Nunney were more than just parents—they were educators, mentors, and community builders. Married for 22 years, they had built a life centered around their four children: Noah, Diego, Lucia, and Leo. Their home in Cleveland was filled with laughter, music, and the kind of warmth that comes from shared meals, bedtime stories, and the daily rhythms of a close-knit family.
Both Donald and Maria were longtime teachers, known for their compassion and dedication. Colleagues described them as “incredible teachers, loving and attentive and committed parents”. They were active in their local schools and community, often volunteering and supporting initiatives that uplifted others.
Maria, remembered for her vibrant personality and infectious laugh, was the kind of person who lit up every room she entered. Her brother, Sandro Galindo, described her as someone who “loved to laugh and joke around and didn’t always take life super seriously”. Donald, by contrast, was a steady presence—gentle, thoughtful, and deeply devoted to his family. His sister, Meredith Nunney McCarthy, called him “a loving, doting father” who “loved Maria more than anything in the world”.
🚗 The Day That Changed Everything
The Nunneys had traveled to North Carolina to drop off Noah at college—a rite of passage for many families. After settling him in, they planned to meet him for lunch the next day. As they drove from their hotel to the university, their car veered off the road, traveled down an embankment, and collided with several trees.
Maria died at the scene. Donald, who had reportedly suffered a heart attack while driving, was airlifted to a nearby hospital but died shortly after arrival. Lucia and Leo were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, and their recovery remains ongoing.
Noah, driving behind his parents, witnessed the crash and immediately pulled over. Emergency crews arrived quickly, but the damage had already been done. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, though no other vehicles were involved.
🕯️ Grief and Grace: A Community Responds
The news of the accident sent shockwaves through the Nunneys’ community. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues gathered to mourn, support, and remember. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help with medical expenses and support the surviving children. Messages poured in from students, fellow teachers, and families whose lives had been touched by Donald and Maria’s kindness.
Cleveland Teachers Union President Shari Obrenski expressed the collective heartbreak: “Their loss has hit everyone so hard that it is unimaginable for their family and their children. So shocking and heartbreaking and just devastating”.
Family members have stepped in to care for Lucia and Leo while they recover, and to support Noah and Diego as they navigate life without their parents. “They have a really good support system with both sides of the family,” Meredith McCarthy said. “We’re doing the best we can to be there for them”.
🎓 Legacy of Love and Learning
Donald and Maria’s legacy lives on not only in their children but in the countless lives they touched through education. Their classrooms were spaces of encouragement and growth. Their parenting was marked by presence, patience, and joy. They taught their children to be curious, kind, and resilient.
Maria would have turned 51 just two days after the accident. Her brother recalled how she embraced the chaos and beauty of raising four children, always with humor and grace. Donald, ever the quiet anchor, was known for his unwavering support and gentle wisdom.
Their children—Noah, Diego, Lucia, and Leo—carry forward that legacy. Noah, now a college student, has vowed to care for his siblings and honor his parents’ memory. Diego, who had stayed behind in Cleveland for work, is now part of the family’s support system. Lucia and Leo, though young, are surrounded by love and strength as they heal.
🌅 A Tribute to Presence and Partnership
The Nunneys’ story is heartbreaking, but it is also a testament to the power of love, partnership, and community. Their marriage was marked by mutual respect and shared purpose. Their parenting was intentional and full of heart. Their lives, though cut short, were rich with meaning.
In remembering Donald and Maria, we honor not just the tragedy of their passing but the beauty of their presence. They were the kind of people who showed up—for their children, their students, their neighbors. They lived with integrity and gave generously of themselves.
Their story reminds us that life is fragile, but love endures. That even in the face of loss, the bonds we build can carry us forward. That the greatest legacy we leave is not in accomplishments, but in the lives we touch.
🖋️ Final Reflections: Holding Space for Grief and Grace
As the Nunney family begins the long journey of healing, they do so with the support of a community that refuses to let their story fade. Vigils have been held, tributes written, and memories shared. Their children are surrounded by love, and their parents’ spirits live on in every act of kindness, every lesson taught, every laugh remembered.
This is not just a story of loss—it is a story of legacy. Of two people who gave their all to their family and their community. Of a love that was deep, enduring, and real.
And in that, there is something sacred.
