Beverly L. Donahue

Beverly L. Donahue, 85, of Erie, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the Springhill Community, Erie, where she resided for the past 9 years, surrounded by her family.

Born April 4, 1930 in Meadville, she was the daughter of Joseph and Lucille (Robbins) Hoffer. She married Maynard (Buck) S. Donahue on June 27, 1959 and was blessed with 49 happy years of marriage.

Beverly was a 1948 graduate of Meadville High School. Her working career was spent sharing her creativity with others as owner of Beverly’s Ceramics on Neason Hill where she turned a hobby into a full time business. Beverly was a certified teacher with Bell’s Ceramics of Clermont, FL and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Central America where she brought her love of china painting and creative techniques to hundreds of students. In addition she taught classes at the YMCA and was a fixture at the Crawford County Fair. Perhaps her greatest joy was in the creation of hundreds of porcelain dolls. She lovingly crafted each one, named them all and enlisted the help of professional seamstresses to create the perfect outfits for each one. Throughout her career as a professional ceramics teacher, she was assisted by June Marie Furno who spent countless hours pouring molds, attending teaching workshops and working behind the scenes at Beverly’s Ceramics. Beverly’s love of sharing her talents enabled her to develop many lasting friendships which continued until her passing.

In addition to her love for painting greenware and porcelain, she enjoyed traveling, music, the theatre and a tom cat named Homer.

Survivors include her five children: daughters Debbie Morgan and her husband Al, of Clinton, NY, Kathy L. Getchell of Erie; three sons; Norman C. Getchell, Jr., Warren Getchell and his companion Rita Mercier and Warner Getchell, all of Meadville; three step-children, Roxanna and her husband Michael of Meadville, Vienna Deitsch of Tionesta, and Brian Donahue of Erie; one brother, John Hoffer  and his wife Alice of Niles, OH, four grandchildren; Christopher DeNoon of Utica, NY, Scott DeNoon and his wife Hilarie of Clinton, NY, Melissa Leonard and her husband Michael of Meadville, Joseph Getchell currently serving in the United States Navy and his wife Kitty and five great grandchildren; Lucille and Lance Leonard of Meadville and Ella, Jack and Chloe Matteo of Clinton, NY. She is also survived by nieces; Barb and her husband Tom of Fayetteville, NY and Diane DeGrange of Conneaut Lake.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; Maynard Donahue, a brother James and sister Marge.
Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4-7 PM at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, where a Scripture Service will be held at 4:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM Thursday at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville.

Beverly will be laid to rest next to her husband, Buck, in Venango Cemetery.


In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to Crawford County Mental Health Services, CHAPS, 944 Liberty St., Meadville, PA 16335. Attention: Lynn McUmber

The family wishes to acknowledge the kindness and compassion shown to Beverly and her family by the Hospice Team and the staff at ForestView. 

Condolences may be shared at miznerfuneralhome.com