Obituary of Donna F. Ellis

Donna F. Ellis, 71, of Jamestown, NY, passed away on Friday, September 17, 2021, in UPMC Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA, following a weeklong struggle with a catastrophic illness. An area resident for most of her life, she was born October 26, 1949, in Kittanning, PA, a daughter of the late Frank R. and Cora E. Johns Clark. She was a 1968 graduate of Cassadaga Valley Central School. Donna was a long-time kidney transplant survivor. She was most grateful to her family friend and angel Kathy Starkweather for giving her the gift of life over 13 years ago. Donna's family will forever cherish the memories made since, and because of, that selfless gift. For a number of years prior to her transplant, Donna provided childcare in her own home for children who today still call her Nana and Meema. At one point she volunteered for nightly dialysis instead of shorter and less frequent daytime sessions to care as well for one of her grandchildren. She had previously worked for several businesses including Heritage Village and the former Zayres and Ames department stores. Donna loved taking trips to the beach with her extended family, spending countless hours finding the perfect vacation house for everyone, and having shopping adventures with her three daughters. She had a passion for crocheting and blessed many people with the gift of a blanket. However, the greatest joy in her life was spending time with her grandchildren. She was proud of all of them, with their unique gifts and talents. She loved cheering on the Southwestern girls' soccer team. She was also an avid Buffalo Bills fan and looked forward to watching the games with her family. Surviving Donna is her husband of 52 years, Donald E. Ellis, whom she married October 18, 1969, three daughters: Nicole (Richard) Kimball, Kelly Jose, Kimberly Kaverman all of Jamestown, seven grandchildren: Kyle Kaverman, Lauren Kimball, Joshua Kaverman, Jayna Jose, Emily Kimball, Meredith Kimball, and Isabella Jose all of Jamestown. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Gary R. Clark. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Gerald Haglund will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Western New York Kidney Connection, 748 Harding Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701, the Southern Tier Kidney Association, P.O. Box 834, Jamestown, NY 14702-0834 or to the Southwestern Independent Living Center, 843 North Main St. Jamestown, NY 14701.