Obituaries

Genine R. Donato, 58

September 05, 2021

Genine R. Donato, 58 of East Petersburg, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour on Sunday September 5th 2021 after a brief illness.

She was born January 20th 1963 in Sunbury Community Hospital, a daughter of the late George Nicodemus Stahl and the late Joyce Lorae (Barner) Stahl. At the age of 5, she accepted Christ as her Lord and savior at her mother’s knee after listening to “Here’s How”, a radio program broadcasted on WPGM by Child Evangelism Fellowship. Genine graduated from Shikellamy High School in 1981 where she was a majorette for the marching band and a runner on the track and field team. She went on to get her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York where she ran cross country and track. She graduated from there in 1985. On April 30th 1988, in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Lewisburg, Pa, she married Anthony Joseph Donato, the love of her life.

Genine worked as a very capable ER nurse for 35 years along with the years she spent in her teens as a hospital volunteer (candy-striper). After graduating college, she began her career at Sunbury Community Hospital. She worked at various hospitals early in her marriage while she was starting her family. From 1994-2020 she worked at St Joseph Hospital in Lancaster and then at Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Lititz. Many years she worked as charge nurse and on night shift. Everyone she took care of thought she was excellent and was glad she was there in their time of need.

You could often find Genine in church on Sunday mornings and always listening to the National Christian Choir on Sunday afternoons on WDAC. Throughout her life, she used her gift of teaching little ones about Jesus. It was a joy to her to teach Sunday school and her 2-3 year old Awana classes called “Buddies”.

Genine loved to organize family parties and bring people together. She planned retirement, anniversary, and birthday dinners for her parents and reunions for extended family. Because of Genine her family has many precious memories of pontoon boat rides on the Susquehanna River, picnics at Shikellamy State Park and wonderful dinners at Country Table Restaurant in Lewisburg. She could always be counted on to plan a birthday, shower or graduation party for her children and grandchildren. She loved going to Tea Affair in Lititz with her mother, sister, and daughter. She often even dragged the men in the family along for tea.

While her children grew up she loved watching her son Matt play basketball and daughter play volleyball for Hempfield High School. As well as watch her son Luke at soccer games and her son Micah play basketball for Lititz Christian School. She loved watching all her children compete on summer swim team during their elementary years.

She had the gift of hospitality and one always felt welcome in her home. She loved her children and grandchildren and was always looking for ways to serve them. She was their “rock”.

Genine is survived by her loving husband Anthony Donato of East Petersburg; her four children son Luke Donato of Westminster, MA; son Matt and wife Jessica Donato of Clarksville, TN; daughter Lauren and husband Jon Daniels of Lancaster, PA; son Micah Donato of Okinawa, Japan; and 5 grandchildren, Kaylee, Charlie, Charlotte, and Autumn Daniels of Lancaster and Olivia Donato of Clarksville, TN. She is also survived by, sister Jeanette Campbell of Saxonburg, PA; brother John Stahl of Oxford, PA; twin brother George Stahl of Shamokin, Pa.

Genine will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She suffered greatly during her brief illness but her best to survive. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is in heaven with her blessed Lord and Savior. She would encourage all who grieve to seek hope in Christ alone and turn to Psalm 34 sung by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Friends are invited to a visitation with Genine’s family from 3-4PM on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at the Charles F. Snyder Jr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA with the Funeral Service to follow at 4PM. Interment will be private at Witness Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Genine’s memory to the National Christian Choir at nationalchristianchoir.org.

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Condolences to the Family

October 07, 2021

Our deepest sympathy. Genine was a lovely woman and a caring mom.  She raised wonderful children. We are so sorry for your loss.
Kevin and Anna Fillgrove

September 16, 2021

Our deepest condolences to all of you. We were shocked to hear this. We have so many wonderful memories with your whole family. My heart breaks for you all, she was a blessing to so many. Praying for you all. Love, Kevin, Tammy, Victoria Stiles and Kevin II

September 11, 2021

Dear Tony, Luke, Matt,Lauren and Micah,
I am so sorry for your great loss of such a wonderful wife and mom and grandma. My heart grieves with your hearts and each of you are in my prayers now and in the days ahead. Your wife/mom shined the love of Jesus through her kindness, caring and smile. She had such a gift for hospitality and loved on my kids like they were her own. Genine loved each of you dearly and was so proud of you. I remember her happily sharing the memory scrapbooks she made. Your family means so much to ours with so much of the child rearing years spent side by side in school, sporting events,  birthday parties, and as friends and neighbors. We love your family and uphold you in prayer knowing that this time of separation from Genine is so hard but that because of Salvation through Jesus Christ all of you will be reunited in your heavenly home. Press into the Lord for he cares for you and binds up the broken hearted.
With Love and Prayers, 
Eric and Darlene Kronawetter 

September 10, 2021

My deepest condolences to the family…..Genine was always smileing and kind…Iwould see her every morning in the ER…May she always rest in peace..Sending comforting prayer sfor the family.
Jean Condon

September 10, 2021

I am truely sorry for your loss. She was a good friend and a mentor to me. I cherish our time we worked together and the many conversations we had in the early mornings of the ambulance bay. I wouldn’t have continued to be an ER nurse without her encouragement and I am honored to have learned so much from her. 
Launa Wright

September 09, 2021

I am so sorry to learn of Genine’s passing and yet having solace in knowing she is with the Lord. Genine was in my Pioneer Girl’s class when she was in high school at Emmanuel Bible Fellowship Church in Sunbury PA. She was a delight to be around and had an earnest heart to live for the Lord. Her life exemplified the great heritage, which was modeled by her parents, George and Joyce. My heart and prayers go out to her husband, children, grandchildren, as well as the ones that I knew… Jeanette, George, and John. 
Deb Hopple Geise

September 09, 2021

Our prayers go out to the Donato family.
Sincerely, Joe and Melanie Gargano

September 09, 2021

Romans 14:8 – For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
Gary Fatool

September 08, 2021

To her family I am sorry for loss of a wonderful woman, I worked with her at UPMC, she was a good nurse and also nice to work around.   She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.   Keep your memories in both your heart and soul for she will always be with you.   Stay strong in your faith that she has gone to a better place but this is not always best for the family and friends who loves her, stay safe and prayers be with you all. 
tina zima

September 08, 2021

Tony, so very sorry to hear the news, please accept my sincere condolences.
Tina Wagner

September 08, 2021

Keeping your entire family in my prayers, Donatos. It’s been many years since I’ve seen Genine, but I’ll never forget the joy she showed around her children and their friends. Sending you all my deepest condolences and love. 
Josh Fillgrove

September 08, 2021

The Baker family (Ryan, Tara and Lexa) who lived next door to you on Lawnwood Court are all so very sad to hear about Genine’s passing. We are in shock. Genine had contact with Tara in the last few years at the hospital and treated Tara very well. She really appreciated her care. Our family sends many prayers to your family during this difficult time.
Cindi Baker

September 08, 2021

Dear Tony and Donato family,We are so sorry to hear of Genine s passing at such a young age she was one of the most Godly woman who was not afraid to let people know her smile came because of her love for Jesus.I can remember one night checking in on her at awana and she had 2 little ones on her lap and 3 other ones resting on her shoulders as she was reading them a book smiling as she was reading .She was always so encouraging and when she asked how are you doing she really wanted to know and took the time to listen if you needed to vent,.God sure gained an awesome young lady .please know we are thinking of you all as you have a great void right now but she would want you to grieve but then turn to Jesus for your strength to get through this hurdle prayers for you all Harlan and Linda Martin

September 08, 2021

To the Family: I just wanted to share my condolences to the family! I worked with Tony at Donnelley and we shared family stories of our children and all the hours that Genine and he were putting in at their jobs and raising a family! God bless you all as you commemorate the life “well-lived” for the Lord! Praying for your family! 
Jeane M Oellig

September 08, 2021

Genine,
You will be dearly missed.  I feel blessed to have gotten to know you even if it was for a short time. I learned to see what a kind hearted loving person you were and such devotion to your family.  Your legacy will live on in your children and grandchildren.  Rest in peace Genine.
Nancy Keith

September 08, 2021

What a beautiful tribute to a very sweet and kind person. May Genine rest in peace. Love to the family. Xoxox 
Tressa and Joe Kasulke

September 08, 2021

Genine was a wonderful friend who always was a shining light for the Lord. My sympathies to Tony and family and to her Stahl family. May God give you peace and strength!
Mary Guyer Bogar

September 08, 2021

Such a wonderful and sweet cousin, will miss your family Christmas letter and family photos.
Karen Loving

September 08, 2021

Tony and family, sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and condolences.
Stella Rhynes

September 08, 2021

My sympathy to Genine’s family. She will be missed by many. Genine was a treasure to work with.  I had the privilege of working beside her at St Joseph Hospital ER for many years. She brought a calmness into the chaos along with smiles and laughter.  Genine loved her family and the Lord. At last she is home with God.   
Deborah Eby

Visitation
Saturday, September 11, 2021
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
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Services
Saturday, September 11, 2021
4:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
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