Donnalee A. (Waltz) Zender
May 2, 2020
Donnalee A. (Waltz) Zender of Clay, NY was called home by her Savior on May 2, 2020 at 76 years of age after courageously facing her illness with determination and humor.
Donna was born on November 29, 1943 in Syracuse, NY and spent her childhood in the village of Parish where she would meet her lifelong sweetheart, Harold (Butch) Zender, whom she married in 1964. She was a graduate of St. Joseph’s School of Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse with the American Red Cross and St. Joseph’s Hospital, from which she retired in 2004. Her greatest joy would come from being a mom of two, grandmother of six, and living in retirement with Butch, with whom she celebrated 47 happy years of marriage until his passing in 2011. She and Butch made a home that was filled with love and hospitality, where there was always a pot of coffee ready and time for a visit. Mom enjoyed every opportunity to gather with family and friends for games or meals, taking day trips, or any activity where she could be with those she loved. She was known as a great cook and hostess and she made everyone who entered her home feel like family. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Phoenix, NY.
She will be sadly missed by her children, Rebecca (Joel) From, Robert (Deborah) Zender, and grandchildren: Olivia (Kaleb) Leskiw; Aaron (Hillary) From; Rachel From; Jordan Zender; Brianna Zender; and Jessika Zender. She is also survived her by sister, Barbara Waltz, and brother, Paul (Amy) Waltz, and beloved in-laws, James Zender, Richard and Joyce Zender, Veleta Mattison, Verna Henderson, Mary Alice Meyers, Yvonne Zender, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Dear friends who held a special place in her heart and life are Hazel Watkins and Tom Leffingwell, Tudy Brutcher, Dick and Rhetha Cunningham, Peggy Sayles, and Loretta Milewski.
Her children and grandchildren are sincerely grateful for the exceptional care mom received from Sandy Magee over the last year, and, more recently, by the caring staff at Belle Haven Nursing Home and Caring Hospice in Quakertown, PA. To our family and friends that showed such exceptional love and care to our mom, we have been deeply blessed by all your acts of service and kindness.
Internment at Pleasant Lawn Cemetery in Parish, NY will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church, 16 County Rt 57A, Phoenix, NY, 13135.