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.

Shorts, Donna RaeDonna 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.