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Donna S. Speth, 80, of Unadilla, passed away on May 5, 2026, at Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln. She is at rest with her Lord. Donna was born on October 9, 1945, in Springfield, MA, to Raymond L. and Miriam A. (Tefts) Reed. Donna graduated from Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA, earning her RN/BSN in nursing. It was during this time that Donna received Dean’s name from a friend lining up pen pals for soldiers in Viet Nam. Dean and Donna corresponded while he was deployed and met upon his return. On June 28, 1969, they were united in marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Westfield, MA.

Donna devoted her life to nursing, which she considered her calling in life. She served as Director of Nursing at Syracuse Memorial Hospital and concluded her career as a labor and delivery nurse at Bryan East Hospital. She was a founding member of the Unadilla Rescue Squad and in retirement she leaned into teaching as an RN and EMT. Donna was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church in Waverly, a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She had a renowned memory of the Bible and catechism, and she leaned on the Lord and the grace found in him. She lived her confirmation verse, Revelation 2:10: “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” and she gladly shared her faith with others.

Donna was a mother to all, playing a special role in the lives of her nieces Jennifer Bassinger and Aimee Shonhiwa, loving friends of her children and grandchildren as her own, and slowly becoming “Grandma Donna” to most. Her home was often the center of celebrations where holidays became cherished traditions. She expressed love through abundance with large meals, festive gatherings, and thoughtful gifts. She was not afraid to spoil a child. She was also not afraid of new experiences - getting a tattoo at age 75, and developing a fondness for ear-piercings with her granddaughter. Donna loved to travel, and she and Dean made annual trips a priority for the family, hauling the children across the country in a station wagon in the early days. Visiting her home in Massachusetts was always a highlight - especially during fall where beautiful leaves and crisp Northern Spy apples were in abundance. In her free time, she loved watching her grandchildren’s activities, and she preserved love and memories with her hobbies of scrapbooking and quilting. She made many fond friends in her Bible Study and swimming group.

Grateful for her beautiful life are her husband, Dean Speth; her children, Richard (Nikki) Speth of Lincoln, Jonathan (Rachel) Speth of Olathe, KS, and Kathryn Speth Romine of Lincoln; her grandchildren, Deborah (Larry) Toddy, Avalyn Speth, and Jemma (Kurt) Pavlik; and her great-grandchildren, Ayden Reding, Jacqueline Toddy, and Finnick James Pavlik; siblings Sandy Fogg of Milton, FL, Raymond (Mary) Reed of Westfield, MA, John (Loretta) Reed of Westfield, MA, and Barbara Towle of Unadilla, NE; many beloved nieces and nephews, and her best friend Jane Lewis. She has many extended family members and friends who will miss her light in their lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Reed.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 15 at 11:00 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Waverly. The service will be livestreamed on the Peace Waverly Youtube page. Burial will follow at Unadilla Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 14 from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., with family greeting friends from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the funeral home in Syracuse.

Memorials are suggested to the Unadilla Fire & Rescue Department.

Arrangements by Fusselman Allen Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse.

Condolences may be left at www.fusselmanallenharvey.com