Donna (Gorman) Schaefer

Westfield, Massachusetts — Donna Schaefer, a New Jersey native and former administrative employee at L.E. Carpenter, Wharton, New Jersey, died Sunday, Jan. 22 after a brief illness. She was 67. Born Donna Lea Gorman on Oct. 8, 1955 in Dover, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Rita Scully Gorman and Robert R. Gorman Sr. Donna was the oldest of five children. Donna earned two associates’ degrees from the County College of Morris, Randolph, New Jersey, the first in applied science in 1978 and the second in secretarial science in 1982. She went on to a career in administrative support roles. On Nov. 11, 1989, Donna married the love of her life, Lawrence R. Schaefer. They built their dream home together in Lafayette, New Jersey, where they hosted annual retreats for their nine nieces and nephews at “Aunt Da’s Spa” and “Camp Larry.” They also enjoyed travelling and made memorable pilgrimages to Ireland and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, among many other destinations. After Larry’s death, Donna embarked on a new adventure and moved to Massachusetts, where she lived first in West Springfield and then in Westfield, with the care and support of her brother, Gary Gorman, and his wife, Tina. In addition to Larry, Donna was pre-deceased by her parents. Donna is survived by her brothers and sisters, Gary Gorman and his wife, Tina, of West Springfield, MA; Robert R. Gorman Jr. and his wife, Janet, of Randolph, NJ; Lynn Turner and her husband, Bill, of Blairstown, NJ; and Janet Finnegan and her husband, Brian of Frankford, NJ; devoted nieces, nephews and their children; and many cousins. Visitation and a funeral Mass will be held in Wharton, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s memory may be directed to Hospice of the Fisher Home, Amherst, MA or Baystate Health Foundation, Springfield, MA.

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