Donna HALL

Apr 5, 1950 - Nov 11, 2007

*Obituary

ITHACA - Donna Hall, 57, died peacefully at her home in Ithaca early Sunday morning, November 11. She'd been living with breast cancer for 6 years.
Donna was born April 5, 1950 and grew up in Cordova, TN, where she developed many lifelong passions. She earned state awards in 4H, studied piano and dance, and performed with the Memphis Civic Ballet for 4 years. She decided early on to follow in her mother's footsteps and pursue a career in teaching. She earned a B.A. from Milsaps College in Jackson, MS, where she also developed a voracious interest in acting.
She soon returned to the Memphis area to teach and to earn two masters degrees (in reading and edu. admin.) from Memphis State Univ. Donna ultimately earned TN's "Master Teacher" recognition and trained other teachers in her areas of specialization.
She was an avid kayaker and paddled level 4 and 5 rivers throughout the southeast. She also continued in theatre and appeared in over 25 Memphis area productions, including Charity Barnum in "Barnum" and Charity in "Sweet Charity." She regularly provided original choreography and musical staging for theaters and high schools as well.
In 1983 Donna married Daniel Hall. In 1987 she moved to Ithaca as Dan joined the theatre dept. at Cornell. She gave birth to daughters, Kathryn ('88) and Eva ('90). She soon returned to teaching, ultimately teaching 5th grade at NE Elem. She continued to enjoy exercising her theatrical muscles through lecture-perfs as "the Quilt Lady" and by reading stories as part of services at 1st Unitarian Church, where she was a dedicated and tireless member, serving in numerous ways including as chair of the "Cabaret," service auction, and affirmation committees. Donna had also become a prolific quilter and member/ officer of the Tompkins Co. Quilter's Guild.
Donna is survived and sorely missed by her parents, John and Elizabeth Schwaiger (at Longview), her husband, Dan, and her two precious daughters, Kathryn and Eva.
Her memorial celebration at 1st Unitarian Church is not yet scheduled. In lieu of flowers, send donations to the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance or Hospicare.

Published in Ithaca Journal on Nov. 13, 2007.

*Photo courtesy of:
Annette Shaw

Contributed on 2/24/21 by hawkinsdonna48
Email This Contributor

Suggest a Correction

Record #: 217376

Location/GPS: View Map

Don't Follow