Obituary of Donna Rae Minch

Donna Rae Gilbert Minch December 4, 1934 - April 6, 2021, age 86, entered God's kingdom on April 6, 2021. She was predeceased by her husband, Willis L. Minch; mother, Rachel Lattin Gilbert; father, Franklin Gilbert; her siblings, Lester Gilbert, Sylvia Liotino, Frank Gilbert, and Jacqueline Minotti. She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Mike) Foley, Jayne (Anthony) Marino, Marilyn (Richard, Jr.) Schornstheimer, and Manda Minch; her sisters, Mildred Weaver, Janet Usselman and Leona (Theodore) Farrell; and her adoring grandchildren, Rachael and Sarah Marino, Zeke Minch Schornstheimer, and Summer and AJ Minch; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends. Donna was born in Enfield, NY, and moved to Elmira, NY in her youth. She graduated from Southside High School, where she played and excelled in every sport. Donna was immensely proud of being a Southside Green Hornet. Donna loved being outdoors and baseball was her passion. Donna’s first job was at Dunn Field (Pioneer Baseball) in Elmira, where she met her husband, Will. Donna also worked at Thatcher Glass as a Stenographer. Donna and Will married in 1957, and together they raised their daughters in a home filled with love. Donna was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where she was a former Chairman of the Parish Festival. Her efforts contributed to the building of the Parish Center. Donna taught physical education for many years at Our Lady of Lourdes School where she helped to organize the local chapter of the CYO sports league. She coached Kickball, Cheerleading, and Cinderella Softball. She was a former member of the West Elmira Volunteer Fire Department’s Women’s Auxiliary. She was the former proprietor of Minch's Bridge Liquor Store in West Elmira. During her lifetime, Donna also found a passion in golf. She fell in love with the game, and her athleticism allowed her to master it. In retirement, Donna lived in Myrtle Beach, SC, Venice, FL, and Palm Harbor, FL where she enjoyed golfing, great friends, and a good game of euchre. Once her golfing days were behind her, Donna resided for a short time at Mease Manor in Dunedin, FL where new friends embraced her. It was easy to love Donna. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother (Grammie) who is missed by her family, and by all those whose lives she touched. Calling hours 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Monday, May 10, 2021 at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, www.mcinernyfh.com, with a Mass to celebrate Donna’s life at 10:30am on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1100 W. Church Street, Elmira. Interment immediately following at St. Peter & Paul’s Cemetery. www.ssppcemetery.org. In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s memory may be made to The Arthritis Foundation www.arthirits.org, Suncoast Hospice Foundation www.suncoasthospicefoundation.org, or simply plant a tree for her love of the outdoors. And as Donna would say… “Batter up ~ Go Rays!”