Patricia D. Donaldson

leukemia on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the Hershey Medical Center.

She was born on March 17, 1949 in Hartford, Connecticut, a daughter to Edward and Priscilla

(Matthews) Darcy.

Mrs. Donaldson was a graduate of Elizabethtown College and received her Masters Degree in

Education from Shippensburg University. She retired after 32 years of service as an English teacher with the Derry Township School District. Early in her career she taught middle school English before moving to the high school English Department. She encouraged her students to study the pure aspects of English composition and literature. Upon her retirement from the high school classroom, she taught writing courses at Penn State, Harrisburg and she was very instrumental in the Capital Area Writing Project and the Patriot-News Spelling Bee competition.

Patricia was also an active member of the Hershey Education Association and served as an editor for the education newsletter. She was also a member of the PSEA and was a member of the National Council of Teachers of English. Several times she earned nomination to Who's Who Among America's Teachers and Educators.

She was very supportive and actively involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, serving on the Board of Directors until 2009. She walked in two marathons with Team in Training and raised money to find the cure. Pat loved her Akitas and enjoyed gardening in between her involvement with book clubs and travel.

Surviving are her husband of 28 years, Kent R. Donaldson, a sister, Joan Juba and her husband

Raymond of Carteret, NJ, a brother, Glenn and his wife, Maureen, of Carlisle, as well as nephews and nieces, Matthew, Tara Kate, Michael, Patrick, Bridgett, and Daniel.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, June 12 at 3 p.m. followed by a reception at the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen, 215 N. Front Street, Harrisburg. Interment will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 800 Corporate Circle, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA.17110 or to The Humane Society of Harrisburg, 7790 Grayson Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111.

Arrangements under the direction of Neill Funeral Home, Harrisburg, PA.