On New Year’s Eve of 1938, Donna Lynn Smith was born in Buffalo’s Millard Fillmore Hospital. Her parents, Alfred F. Smith and Ethel Burlingame Smith brought their new baby home to their house on Mang Avenue. The addition of Donna’s new brother Paul a few years later meant a larger house on Victoria Ave. where Donna grew up. The family had a new house constructed at 108 Hamilton and Donna lived there through high school, joined by her new husband John after he got out of the Army. Donna graduated early from Kenmore Senior High School in 1956 and began dating John that same year, just before he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Donna attended Buffalo State College and graduated early once again with a teaching degree in 1958. She married John later that same year in Kenmore United Methodist Church, the same church that was her community and a central part of her entire life. Donna’s long career as an elementary and middle school teacher in the Ken-Ton district began shortly thereafter in 1959. She taught 4th, 5th and 6th grade students in several different schools through her long tenure. She mentored many young teachers, and one of the highlights of her career was leading a camp program for fifth graders. John and Donna had their first child Alan in 1961, and Allison came along in 1964. Her father, Alfred, passed away prematurely in 1968. Their family grew once again in 1970 with the arrival of Mark. Their homes in Kenmore and the Town of Tonawanda progressed from Wilmington Ave to McKinley Ave., Devonshire Rd., and eventually Woodland Ave. Donna and John were avid travelers. In their early days, they traveled tens of thousands of miles across the United States and Canada, living out of a tent or a pop-up camper trailer. They re-traced the Oregon Trail and visited countless national parks as they traversed all 48 contiguous US states. Subsequent trips included Hawaii, Alaska and numerous European countries and their castles, cathedrals and mountains. Donna also loved riding along on the motorcycle with John. She also took photography classes, went cross country skiing, arranged flowers, played tennis and loved riding her bicycle. Donna retired in 1994. New pursuits included artisanal quilting and more extensive traveling. She wrote the Teachers’ Guide to Forest Lawn Cemetery, of which she was very proud. An unfortunate bicycle accident and knee surgeries led to difficulty walking and eventual use of a wheelchair. Despite the challenges, she remained actively involved with her friends and church community. John and Donna joined the Canterbury Woods retirement community in 2021. This enabled Donna to make many new friends and stay connected through social activities. She acquired what would become her signature red hat. Friends and staff remember her outgoing personality, friendly smile and flair for style. Percy, Donna (nee Smith) December 31, 1938 - May 30, 2025 Of Amherst, NY. Beloved wife of John W. Percy; dear mother of Allison, Mark (Amy) and the late Alan (Susan) Percy; loving grandmother of David (Christine), Emma (Adlai), Jonathon (Kassandra), and Alexander; great grandmother of Nora May; sister of the late Paul Smith. Also survived by one niece and 3 nephews. Friends may call Thursday June 12, 2025 from 3-5 & 7-9 PM at the Lester H. Wedekindt, Inc. Funeral Home 3290 Delaware Ave. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Funeral Services on Friday June 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM in Kenmore United Methodist Church 32 Landers Rd. Kenmore, NY 14217. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Kenmore United Methodist Church.