Donna L. "Dee Dee" Sollenberger

Donna L. “Dee Dee” Sollenberger, age 84, of Chambersburg, PA, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at the Chambersburg Hospital surrounded by her family. Born in Chambersburg, PA on March 22, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Myron L. and Violet L. Ickes Sollenberger.

Donna was a 1959 graduate of CASHS; she went on to graduate from Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital in 1962 as a Registered Nurse; and then earned her BSN from Messiah College in 1967. Donna served in many nursing roles including being a missionary nurse at Mission Navajo Hospital in New Mexico from 1963-1965. She also served in Zimbabwe, Africa from 1967-1972, where the locals affectionately named her “Gogo of Abantwana,” which means grandmother of the children. While serving in Africa as a nurse, the closest physician was miles away, so she also had to extract teeth, deliver babies, and perform funerals. She even delivered twins. Donna loved to teach nursing. She was the RN Supervisor, Education Asst. Director of Nursing in Williamsport, MD for 13 years. She taught the practical nursing program in Chambersburg and taught many nurse aid classes at the former Franklin County Vo-Tech and Institute for Caregiver Education at night.

Donna was a member of West Side Brethren in Christ Church. She had a deep faith in God and a courageous spirit for service to others. She especially had a heart for children and elderly. She was fierce in her pursuit of what was right.

Donna enjoyed going to her great-nieces and nephews sporting events. She also enjoyed going to the beach, shopping, being with friends and family, watching football, and going for a drive in the Fall when the leaves change.

Donna is survived by her sisters, Diane Freeman and Debra Johnson (husband Tim) all of Chambersburg, PA; two nieces, Amy Ruscetti (husband Dave) and Melissa Dick (husband Cory); six great-nieces and nephews, Claire, Dylan, Nick, Dalton, Marley, and Lydia; and the rest of her extended family including Tom, Beth, Ted, and Theresa. In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her sister, Doris Bartholomew, and brothers-in-law, Charles Bartholomew and Larry Freeman.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11 AM at the West Side BIC Church, 2665 Lincoln Way West, Chambersburg, PA 17202, where Pastor Dr. W. David Kent will officiate. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service. Interment will be in Air Hill Cemetery at 2 PM following the service on Saturday. Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, Inc., Chambersburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s name to the above church and address. Online condolences may be expressed at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.