Donna Lee Sopalsky
11/6/2017
Donna Lee Sopalsky, 70, of Garnerville, NY, passed away at her residence on November 6, 2017.
Born in Yonkers, NY, on November 16, 1946, Donna grew up there and in Pearl River, NY. She graduated from the SUNY College at Geneseo with a B.A. in English in 1968, and afterwards earned her Master’s degree in Library Science at SUNY Albany. She was employed for 34 years at the Haverstraw King’s Daughter Public Library, where she served as Assistant Director and only recently retired following some challenging health issues.
Donna was predeceased by her parents, Joseph Sopalsky and Dorothy W. (Gillis) Sopalsky, of James Island, SC. She is survived by her sister Barbara and her husband Larry of Wadmalaw Island, SC; her brother John and his wife Sally of Goshen, NY; and two nieces, Jessica (Sopalsky) Porter and her husband Seth of Boston, MA and Christine (Sopalsky) Titterington and her husband Patrick of Somerville, MA. As the eldest sibling, Donna will be fondly remembered by her sister and brother for the guidance she gave them in childhood and for the close relationship she maintained with them throughout life. She was delighted to be a part of her nieces’ lives, watch them grow into wonderful young women, and attend their weddings. She was deeply committed to her library work and cared genuinely about the library staff and patrons as extended family. Donna devoted much leisure time to reading, a real passion, especially mysteries, biographies, and history. She took accordion lessons as a child and from time to time would happily get it out to play special tunes. As a longtime resident of Rockland County, Donna had great affection for the Hudson River Valley and relished the view of the Hudson from the library in Garnerville, which she helped develop with her leadership. Twice a year for decades, she faithfully traveled to South Carolina to share and create memories with her parents on their birthdays and holidays. She loved family and was loved by them. We will miss her dearly and will keep her in our hearts.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, Warwick, NY.
A private service will be held in the spring.
Those who wish to make a memorial contribution in her honor, please consider American Heart Association or the Salvation Army.
Calendar of Care
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