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- Donna Rountree McKnight, 64, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston, NY. Born on May 4, 1951 in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late John A and Ruth M (McMahon) Rountree. On August 1, 1981 she married Richard J. McKnight at St. Mary's of the Cataract RC Church in Niagara Falls, NY. She is the mother of Richard John McKnight of Charleston, SC.
Donna was a devout Roman Catholic, a longtime member of the parish of St. Mary's of the Cataract, and extremely proud of her Irish heritage. Retirement afforded her an opportunity to travel extensively, her favorite destinations were Charleston, SC and Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. A member of Niagara Falls High School's Class of 1969, Donna graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. In Speech Pathology from Nazareth College of Rochester in 1973. She also obtained her M.S. in Speech Pathology from the State University of New York - Geneseo in 1974. Donna began her teaching career at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Elementary School in Dunkirk, NY that year. In 1975, she began her long career as a Speech/Language Pathologist with the Niagara Falls City School District. Donna worked at various elementary and middle schools throughout the district in her 34 year career before retiring due to disability in 2009. During that time, Donna received her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC) in Speech/Language Pathology from the American Speech and Hearing Association. Throughout her career, Donna was involved in many school committees and activities.
Besides her loving husband and son, Donna is survived by her sister-in-law Maureen (late Robert) McKnight of Lockport, brother-in-law Mark J McKnight of Alexandria VA, and sister-in-law, Mary Catherine (John) Calabro of Clifton Park NY. Additionally, Donna is survived by her loving first cousins, Gail Haseley. Marianne (Bert) Wilms, Kathleen (Jim) Walsh, Patrick (Susan) Rountree, John Rountree, John (Mary Ellen) Gleason, Sharon (Michael) Goulet, as well as their extended families
and many other cousins. She is also survived by nieces, Katherine (Chuck) Haas, Colleen (Patrick) Murray. Kathleen Calabro; and nephew, Matthew Calabro.
The McKnights would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Mt. St. Mary's Hospital for not only their tireless medical efforts but also the courtesy and compassion they demonstrated to both Donna and her family during her time there.
There will be no prior visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to DonorsChoose.org, which helps provide funding for public school classrooms and will continue to honor the commitment to education that Donna dedicated her life to. Entombment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the RHONEY FUNERAL HOME, Lewiston, NY.
Visit rhoneyfuneralhome.com for guest register.
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1951 - 2016 (64 years)