Donna Stenhouse ... volunteered at Opera House; at 80

ROCHESTER - Donna Glynn Stenhouse of Rochester died on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023, after a long hospitalization. Born in Newport, R.I., in 1943, she was educated at the University of Rhode Island and was a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. It was there that Donna met her beloved husband of nearly 50 years, Richard Gary Stenhouse.

After college Donna was an elementary school teacher but once her two daughters Emily and Amy were born, she became a devoted full-time mother. After relocating from Maryland to Connecticut, Donna was active in all aspects of her daughter's lives, serving as a Scout leader and introducing them to her creative side. She instilled in them a love of tennis and a passion for cooking and gardening. She also began a stenciling business and worked on the 1980 census.

As her daughters became teenagers, Donna re-entered the workforce full time and became Manager of B. Dalton Bookseller in Bloomfield, Conn. When she and Gary moved to Rochester, she became a team leader at Measured Progress. Donna's love of gardening blossomed at this stage in her life, and she began the Adopt-A-Spot Gardening program in Rochester and her home was featured on the Annual Garden Tour of the city. She was an active volunteer at the Rochester Opera House, enjoyed playing bridge with her friends and was a beautiful knitter.

Donna was happiest when entertaining family and friends, ensuring that not even the smallest of details was overlooked. Some of Donna's fondest memories were entertaining family and friends on the boat that she and Gary kept off the coast of Maine. It was here that Donna's culinary skills and creativity shone, always making guests yearn for another invitation.

Donna is predeceased by her husband, Richard Gary Stenhouse and her sister, Leslie Lowe.

She is survived by her daughters, Emily Burega (Scott) of Pittsfield, Mass,., and Amy Hafey (Rick) of Portsmouth, her 4 grandchildren: Julia, Michael, Charlie and Matthew as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and her cherished pug, Sylvester.