Donna May Stage

DEWITTVILLE- Donna May Cheney Stage, 90, of Dewittville, passed away peacefully at her home, with family at her side, on Monday, July 22, 2024.   She was born May 20, 1934, in Bemus Point, NY, the daughter of the late Asa B. and Mary Jane Hares Cheney. Donna was a sweet and wonderful woman, beloved wife, awesome daughter, sister, and mother. She will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, O. Delos (Del) Stage, whom she married on April 14, 1956, her son, Timothy Stage, son-in-law Thomas Josephson and brothers William Cheney and John Cheney. She is survived by her son, Paul (Rosemary) Stage of Maple Springs, NY, daughter, Yvonne (Bonnie) Josephson of High Point, NC, daughter-in-law Heidi Stage of Homer, AK, and daughter Cindy Lawson (Jim) of Jamestown. Grandchildren & great-grandchildren blessed her life: Kristen (Nader) Stage-Geleil (and their children Maryam and Joud), Paul (Jordan) Stage (and their children Grace and Adelyn), Mathew (Jenna) Stage, Jeremy (Amanda) Woltz (and their children Venice and Gillie), Courtney Stage, Asa Stage (and his children Freya, Esmay & Ellie); Ebtehal (Sammie Alnajjar) Sudan (and their children Besma, Nawal and Jamal) and Susan Suwan (Yashwin Gokavarapu); her siblings Edith (Bob) Johnson, and Anabel Weise.  

     Donna’s younger years were busy, working on the family (Cheney) farm in Bemus, marching with the Fluvanna Fire Department in numerous parades, playing softball for the Collins Sports shop in Jamestown, participating in 4H activities, square dancing, cheerleading, roller skating, and playing women’s basketball for Bemus Point Central School, graduating in 1952.

She attended nurses training at Woman’s Christian Association Hospital in Jamestown, earning a Registered Nurse degree (1955, Diploma). She met her husband, Del, roller skating in Russel, Pennsylvania and they married in 1956. Her love for God, nursing, family, and community kept her busy.  Her first job was as director of nursing at the County Infirmary located in Dewittville, NY and supervised the transfer of the residents to the Dunkirk facility. She also worked at Westfield Memorial Hospital, became a school nurse at Mayville Central School, and a camp nurse at Chautauqua Boys and Girls Club. She worked as a Chautauqua County Health Nurse for many years, teaching expectant parent classes at Westfield Hospital, providing prenatal care, newborn visits, SIDS investigations, vaccination programs, flu clinics, and the TB clinic. She was instrumental in setting up vaccinations for the Amish population and helped to write the NYS Guidelines for working with the Amish communities. 

 Donna was a member of the Dewittville Fire Department and Auxiliary, serving 64 years. She was the nozzle holder for the water barrel contests and led the team to many victories. As a member of the Dewittville Community Church, she was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the missionaries, coordinated many of the local outreach programs, and brought many roses to the church to grace the altar and the congregation. Her and Del, led Bible study small groups and went on many mission trips. As a 4H club leader, she encouraged community involvement by her group and participation in the programs for the County fair. She enjoyed family get-togethers, gardening, and baking apple pies for her husband. (However, her brother John was known to smell them cooking and eat them before Del got home.) Donna loved Chautauqua Lake and worked on the Sea Lion, Chautauqua Belle and the Stow Ferry.  She also loved gardening, reading, and fishing, and was known to say “Housework don’t last but fishin do” as she took the kids fishing.  When women’s basketball was revived in the high schools, she became a referee for the “girls” and was known to give tips and not just fouls. 

     The family would like to express appreciation to the caregivers that took care of Donna in her later years.  Their care and attention was phenomenal and we were very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of assistants.  Visitation will be August 1st from 3PM to 5PM at the Dewittville Community Church with the funeral at 5PM and a reception at the Dewittville Fire Hall to follow.   Burial will be in the Bemus Point Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the Dewittville Community Church (5432 Meadows Road, Dewittville, NY 14728), Dewittville Volunteer Fire Department, or Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care.

      To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com