Donna Cleveland Strein

Donna Cleveland Strein was born Jan. 22, 1929 in Mansfield, to Helen and Welch Cleveland. She died Sept. 21, 2024.

Donna was the youngest of five Cleveland children. Her siblings (Beatrice, Doris, Helen and Ellis) are all deceased.

Donna attended both Mansfield High School and Mansfield State Teacher’s College (Mansfield University). It was during her college years that she met and fell in love with Theodore (Ted) Strein. They were married in March of 1951. Together they had four children, John (Jerilyn), of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Laura Bower (John), of Loyalsock Township, Richard (Marsha), of Lexington, Ky., and Timothy (Anne), of Montoursville. Donna leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, who will cherish the memories of their beloved “Mema.”

Both Donna and Ted graduated with teaching degrees. They moved to Montoursville in 1954 when Ted accepted a teaching position which also included coaching football. Donna, however, chose to forgo a teaching career to raise her growing family. Montoursville would become her home until her death.

She was so outgoing that she quickly became well known in the community. A trip to the store or the bank with her would often become a lengthy social event.

She was the consummate coach’s wife, not only interested and knowledgeable about football, but eagerly inviting Ted’s players into her home on many occasions. Donna attended every home Montoursville football game for 50 consecutive years until the COVID era ended her streak.

At an early age, it was obvious Donna was not going to be a typical woman of the times. By her own admission she was a “tomboy” who would rather be outside riding bikes, enjoying participation in many different sports or even cleaning the chicken coop rather in lieu of being inside performing and learning the various duties of a housewife. As such, she developed into an outstanding athlete at a time when there were few organized athletic opportunities for women.

Donna was particularly skilled at golf, tennis and bowling, but could hold her own, even against her male counterparts, in other sports as well.

Throughout the years she was recognized for her athletic talents: Mansfield University Sports Hall of Fame, West Branch Sports Hall of Fame, Williamsport Women’s Bowl Association Hall of Fame and a six-time Turbot Hills Golf Club Woman’s Club Champion. She was an ardent sports fan but her favorite team was undoubtedly the Philadelphia Phillies.

Additionally, Donna was a PIAA District 4 Committee member, officiated high school basketball and umpired girls’ softball for several years.

She had a competitive spirit that even spilled over into such things as friendly card games, puzzles or board games. Whatever the competition, she played to win, but win or lose she always displayed impeccable sportsmanship.

In addition to being a very good athlete, she developed many useful life skills not typical of a wife or mother. Some of the many “hats” she wore over the years were head of household maintenance and repair of the Strein property, cook, therapist, plumber, painter, bicycle repairman, automotive mechanic and small engine specialist, quarterback and baseball catcher and fielder.

Donna was a member of the Montoursville Presbyterian Church, where life celebration services will be held on Sept. 28, 2024 at 3 p.m., with Reverend David Smith officiating.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Montoursville Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.

Donna was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and mentor. She was the “rock” of the Strein family, and will be greatly missed by not only her family, but the many lives she touched along her life’s journey.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McCarty Thomas Funeral Home of Montoursville.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.