Dona Lou Birnesser, 90, of Strasburg, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on June 2, 2018. She passed very peacefully, tended to lovingly by her family, at the Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center in Winchester, Virginia. She left this world to be in Heaven with the love of her life, James Andrew Birnesser, on what would have been his ninety-seventh birthday. What a glorious gift, to be reunited! Dona and James had celebrated nearly sixty years of an exceptional marriage, until his passing in 2007. They shared a deep love for one another, family, country, and God. Dona was born on September 13, 1927, in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, the second of three daughters to John Wilfred and Clara Ward Horstmann. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Juanita LoPresti and Karen Zombeck; and by her brothers, John Horstmann and George Horstmann. Growing up, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends, working puzzles, reading books, going ice skating, and taking in a moving-picture show at the local theaters. She was an avid student and graduated as the valedictorian of her class from Darlington High School, in Darlington, Pennsylvania. She joined her older sister Juanita in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps, and again graduated as the valedictorian of her class from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Dona greatly enjoyed caring for others and served for nearly forty years as a Registered Nurse in the local maternity wards, before retiring from the Medical Center of Beaver County in Beaver, Pennsylvania. She helped to bring two generations of babies safely into this world and was very proud of her work in nursing. Dona was always happiest when surrounded by her beloved family and closest friends and radiated the most unforgettable beautiful smile. She gave her time freely to help whenever needed and instilled her strong values within those around her. She believed in honesty, kindness, thrift, education, and hard work. She found a love of traveling with her husband, and together they managed to visit most of the United States and Canada. She became a master in many card and board games, and challenged everyone with her quick mind and hilarious wit. No one could match her skills in assembling complex jigsaw puzzles or in solving difficult crossword puzzles. She continued to enjoy reading and remained a lifelong fan of the movies. Her deep Roman Catholic faith sustained her, and she openly shared her love of the Lord. She frequently guided others with the teachings of the Bible. Dona was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. She is survived by her son, Donald Birnesser, of York, Pennsylvania; by her daughter Sharyn Gaither and her husband Neal, of Winchester, Virginia; and by her daughter Lisa Birnesser of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Kendra Pearson and her husband Justin, Ryan Birnesser, and Kelsey Stolzenbach. She leaves behind three great-grandchildren: Alexander, Grace, and Andrew. She will be greatly missed by her many loving nieces and nephews, and especially by her devoted goddaughter and niece, Patty Ann Keeton. The family will receive friends at Stover Funeral Home in Strasburg, Virginia, this Friday at 7 p.m. A Rosary Service will commence at 8:30 p.m., led by her dear friend Eileen Simmons from Saint John Bosco Catholic Church in Woodstock, Virginia. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, in Winchester, Virginia. Father Phillip Cozzi will be officiating. A graveside service will follow at Shenandoah Memorial Park in Winchester, Virginia. All are invited to attend a subsequent luncheon at the chapel of the cemetery to fondly share our loving memories in honor of Dona and to celebrate her full, blessed life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice in Winchester, Virginia. The family would like to extend a sincere appreciation to the dedicated inpatient staff for providing comfort, presence and spiritual support during Dona's recent final days. Online condolences may be left at www.stoverfuneralhome.com. STOVER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, INC., Strasburg, Va., is serving the family of Dona L. Birnesser.
DONA LOU BIRNESSER
