Donna J. Demarest

Donna Joan Demarest was born 1936 in White Plains, New York and died September 20, 2024.
There was no one with a bigger heart than Donna. She dedicated her life to taking care of others-as a big sister caring for her two younger siblings, as an aunt caring for her five nieces and nephews, as a mom to her adopted pets, as a nurse to her patients, and as a daughter to her mother and father as they aged.
Donna earned a diploma in nursing from Lenox Hill Hospital School of Nursing and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the College of New Rochelle. She received a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree from Columbia University.
Donna worked both as a registered nurse in a hospital setting and as a nurse educator, teaching nursing students about patient care and clinical skills. She retired as the Dean of the College of New Rochelle, Nursing School.
Donna was most proud of her time spent as the Director of the Department of Nursing at Oglala Lakota College, in South Dakota. She loved the people and their culture. In her 5-years there, she was able to help raise funds for the tribal college through grant writing and get the nursing program fully accredited by the South Dakota State Board of Nursing.
Donna enjoyed sports and was an avid Yankees fan. She liked baking and crafting and loved animals. One of her favorite things to do, was spend time down by the riverbank in Newfane, Vermont.
Most of all, Donna loved her family. And we loved her right back. Donna is survived by her siblings William B. (Liz) Demarest and Sue A. (Walter) Fraser, her nephews William M. (Miriam) Demarest and Douglas (Beth) Fraser, her nieces Pamela Demarest, Jennifer Mauceri and Katie (Jennifer Champagne) Fraser, her great-nieces Sarah, Madeline, Abby, Teagen, Carly, and Olivia, her great-nephews Joe, Marcus, and Trent, her former sister in-law Judith Demarest, and her best buddy (dog) Jack. She will be greatly missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor, to the Oglala Lakota College (https://www.olc.edu/home/) or the Lewy Body Dementia Association (https://www.lbda.org/).