05/31/2026
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Donna Cates, Executive Director of Practice Development and someone who was the heartbeat of so much of what we do here at Smile Potential.
Donna passed away after a private and courageous battle with cancer – fighting with every intention of coming back, and never losing sight of the practices and people she loved.
She was a Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Hygienist, and expert Practice Manager who brought a rare combination of knowledge, talent, and genuine love for this profession and the people in it. She showed up to every office, every team, and every challenge the same way – fully present, hardworking, and deeply invested. She believed in everyone she worked with, even when they hadn’t quite learned to believe in themselves yet.
But beyond all of that – Donna was family to us. We traveled together, laughed together, and built the kind of friendships and memories that only come from truly knowing someone. She was one of those rare people who made everything better just by being part of it. When any of us needed an answer, a detail, or a scenario buried years deep – we knew exactly who to call. Our Rainman.
Her greatest pride was her children, who carry her strength, brilliance, and love forward every day.
Tiny but mighty in every sense of the word.
The greatest tribute we can give her is the one she always asked of us –
Show up fully. Believe in your people. Do the work with heart.
Do it like Donna. 🤍
Visitation
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
1:00PM - 4:00PM and 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Charles J. O’Shea
603 Wantagh Avenue
Wantagh, NY 11793
Funeral Mass
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
11:00AM - 12:15PM
St. Raphael R.C. Church
600 Newbridge Rd
East Meadow, NY 11554
