Donna Elizabeth Cerny

Donna E. Cerny.

Donna Elizabeth Cerny passed away on July 26th at age 79 after enduring a long health struggle. Her will to live was still strong, but her body wasn't. Both Julie Robb and Catherine Jerszyk were very supportive throughout this time.

Donna grew up in New Castle, the daughter of Bill and Betty Priestley, leaving brother Bill Jr. (Oklahoma) and husband Jim Cerny (New Castle) of 56 years. Over the decades she loved her dogs Katie, Maggie, Annie, Teddy, and now leaves Sophie. In retirement she was that rare "townie" who was able to retire to New Castle, where the Pridham side of her family has a long history.

Most of her career was in K-6 teaching, with a year in Narragansett, RI, a year in Shrewsbury, MA, and most of her career in the Dover, NH, system, teaching at Woodman Park and Garrison schools, mostly second grade. In retirement she often ran into former students or parents of students who said she was the best teacher they had!

Donna was known for her smile and cheerfulness. Donna excelled at a wide range of crafts, including quilting, rug hooking, weaving, and calligraphy, until health prevented those. One year she had a crafts store on The Hill in Portsmouth.

In retirement Donna devoted many hours to her paper crafts work, with great skill and creativity. She took up harp playing and joined the New England Irish Harp Orchestra, also playing many hours for hospice patients. And she became very involved with dog nose work trials.

Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, in New Castle, and no service is planned. Any memorial donations should be made to Rescue Charlie's Friends Dog Rescue in Woolwich, ME. For online condolences, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel.