Donna Rae Shorts, age 60, resident of 421 South Main Street, Cambridge Springs, PA died at her home on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 following a year and half illness with cancer. She had lived in Cambridge Springs for the past 35 years. Born in Mt. Pleasant, PA on March 23, 1952, Donna was a daughter of the late Ray N. Sucanic and Nancy Crossland Sucanic.
Donna grew up in Mount Pleasant, PA and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School with the Class of 1970. She advanced her education with a Business of Science degree in Speech and Hearing and also a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, both earned at Edinboro University. Upon her graduation in 1974, she became employed in an after school program conducted by Penncrest School District at Cambridge Springs. On November 21, 1975, Donna married Robert K. Shorts who survives. In August of 1992, she began teaching kindergarten at Cambridge Springs Elementary School where she continued over 20 years until the present. Donna was an exceptional teacher who invested herself into the lives of the young children. She had a deep concern for their well being and spent many hours preparing each day for her classroom activity. She was a recipient of the Golden Apple Award. Donna was a member of the National Education Association and was a committed fan of both the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Indians.
In addition to her husband of 37 years, Robert, Donna is survived by two daughters – Nancy Russell and her husband, Terry of Chesapeake, VA and Roberta Shorts who remains at home in Cambridge Springs. Also two grandchildren survive with whom she was very close – Colin Frisina and Jacob Russell both of Chesapeake, VA; and three brothers – Dan Sucanic, Ray Sucanic, and Tim Sucanic all of Mt. Pleasant, PA. Several nephews and nieces survive as well.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9. Prayer services will be held there at 3:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs on Monday at 10:00 with Reverend David Poulson, pastor of the Church, officiating.
Memorials may be given in remembrance of Donna to the Cambridge Springs Elementary School, 19 Steele Street, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.
I was her student in elementary school and she was very nice, beyond nice. One time me and my friend got in a fight and she said, Don’t fight over the silly stuff when you each other. To this day because of her we are still friends. She was the nicest teacher in the world. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers. God bless!
Deepest sympathies to the family. She was a great person who will be missed.
Corey Ransom and family
Ramie, Timmy, and Danny,
You have my deepest sympathy. My heart aches for all of you.
Love and Prayers,
Pam.
Nancy,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love ya buddy;>. You never liked the “fanfare”. We had some good, fun times at work… and you were the best professional, and friend, I ever met!! The kids always loved Mrs. Shorts. I will think about you always and smile about our discussions and good times.
Bob, you and your entire family are in my prayers
Tony Ferraro
pittsburgh, PA
Dear Nancy,
I am so very sorry for your family’s tremendous loss. Having lost my mother only a year ago to cancer, I know how difficult this experience is. Please know that I am always a good listener if you ever need a shoulder to cry on. I did not have the pleasure of knowing your mother but I know she must have been an outstanding person. You are proof of that Nancy. Your mother certainly must have been so proud of you! May God bless you and your family during this time of grief.
Dear Shorts Family,
My heart broke when I heard that Donna had passed. She fought it bravely and is finally out of pain.
Teaching with Donna was such a gift. She was always welcoming and kind. Donna was one of the best teachers at CSES, but never blew her own horn. She just did everything well and focused on her children. We used to tease her about all the “cute stuff” she put out in the halls. Donna was amazing. I will always remember her smile. She will be GREATLY missed.
To Donna’s family, Deepest sympathies for your loss. I am a friend of the family and grew up with Donna and graduated with her in the Class of 1970 from Mt. Pleasant. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My family and I in Cheapeake, VA send our thoughts and prayers for Donna’s family and friends. We have become close to her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Terry and her two grandchildren whom I take care of while Nancy teaches. I know how much Nancy loves her mother and how important she was to Terry,Colin and Jacob. They will sorely miss her. Having lost my mother a year ago, I understand the deep grief they are feeling. We must keep our hope in the promises and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ of all being together again forever.
Our sympathies are extended to the family and friends who feel a loss. We shared a wonderful friendship with Donna many years ago when our daughters were young. It was a friendship that was charished. Our prayers are with you.
Bob, we want to send our deepest sympathy to you and your family. You are in our thoughts.
John & Becky Hasenkopf
Bob, so sorry to hear about your wife. We were really shocked and didn’t realized how sick she was. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob & Family
So sorry to hear about Donna she was a great person,always a smile on her face and the kindness she had to others.May GOD bless and keep you when you need him most
Dear Bob and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We had a pet name for Donna ,”Donna Dear” because that is what she was to us ….Working with Donna was a blessing, everyday she made you smile , laugh and feel that you were an important part of her day. C.S.E.S. has lost one of the best , every child that had her as their teacher knew that she cared about them. We hold on to the great memories of Donna they bring some comfort to us and remind us of how blessed we are because of “Donna Dear” being in our lives. May the Lord Jesus comfort you during these difficult times.
Tony & Judy Jardina
With tear filled eyes and heavy heart, Myranda would like to express how truly sorry she is for your loss. She was blessed to have known the love and passion Mrs. Shorts had for her and her classmates each and every day this past year. Mrs. Shorts was the best teacher and she will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who grieve with her passing.
Dear Bob and Family,
I had the great pleasure of working with Donna and I can say that she was truly the best at her job and was the kindest and sweetest person to all. In my book, she should have been awarded the teacher of the century. She loved each and every child….they may have been pains… but she never let them know it. I am sorry for your loss but also for the loss that we in education will have. She will be greatly missed.
Theresa
Mrs. Shorts was my very best teacher ever. I don’t think that she can be replaced but I do know that we all are better for having her as a teacher.
Michaela (now in 10th. grade)
I will never forget the way Donna always touched you when she talked to you. She wanted you to know she cared and that her point was important. She conveyed things with love and authority. Everyone who knew her has truly been “touched”.
I feel blessed to have known her. I am truly sorry for your loss.
with love, Laura Deets
Bear,
We were shocked and saddened to learn of Donna’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Bob and Family,
Although I didn’t know Donna, I want to express my sympathy to you in this loss and very stressful time. Hoping that the good memories will bring a smile to your faces and warmth to your hearts.
With prayers and good thoughts,
Diane Zuschlag Potter
Our thoughts and prayers to the family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Desiree, Aaron, and Brandon Ward
My condolences to you all. I treasured Donna as a colleague and a friend. She was a help and comfort to me for all the years we worked together. She was the best teacher I ever knew and every child she ever worked with was very lucky. You are in my thoughts.
Bob, Nancy and Roberta,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. She was a wonderful woman and will be truly missed. May the Lord comfort you.
Bob and Family:
I was so sorry to hear about donna’s passing. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We can’t can’t be there in person, Bob, but we are there in spirit. Our prayers and thoughts go to you and the family. We love ya and miss you.
Bob & Family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. Donna was a great lady and will be deeply missed by everyone she had contact with. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Heaven has gained another angel.
Love you all!
Charles & Theresa Tatters