Obituary of Donna Louise Verschoor

After struggling with multiple chronic illnesses, Donna Louise Verschoor (née Markus) died on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. 

Donna Markus, daughter of George Markus and Alice Stevens, moved to Rye with her parents after graduating from Port Chester High School in 1960. After attending some secretarial school classes, she began working at Homelite as the Assistant Sales Promotion Manager. 

Donna’s cousin Joan and her now-husband Don brought Donna along to a drag racing event, where Don’s friend Allan was also racing. In 1969, Joan suggested that Donna might enjoy riding out to race day with Allan. After spending much of the day together, she gave him her phone number. They married on July 25, 1970, surrounded by family and friends.

In 1975, Homelite left New York, and Donna chose to remain in New York with her husband. Later that year, they welcomed their first child, Sandra, and Wendy followed in 1979. While Allan was working as an auto service technician, Donna helped support their young family by working part time at the United Methodist Church of Rye as both the church and nursery school secretary, while also being available after school for the girls. She stayed on as the secretary there until the church closed in 2013.

Throughout her life, Donna put her family first, loving them fully and entertaining them with her wit.

Donna is survived by her husband of nearly 53 years, Allan, their two children (Sandra and her husband Peter of Pelham, and Wendy of Medford, MA), her two grandchildren (Anya and Sofia), and numerous cousins.

She is greatly loved, and greatly missed.

A wake will be held Friday, June 23, 2023, 4-7pm, at Graham Funeral Home in Rye. A funeral mass will be held at Resurrection Church in Rye on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10am.