Donna Honsinger, (1949 - 2022). Beloved wife, dedicated mother, avid outdoorsman, and one tough lady, passed away on February 5th, after a valiant battle with cancer. She passed peacefully in her Poestenkill home, surrounded by family.
In her 72 years on earth she never met an animal she didn’t like. She was always fond of the runt of every litter, and had a penchant for lost causes. For many years Donna was a licensed New York State Wildlife Rehabilitator. She nurtured a countless number of animals back to health before returning them to the wild, and frequently spoke at local elementary schools and county fairs about animals, nature, and the importance of wildlife conservation.
Donna loved to camp on the shores of Lake Champlain, fish for bass, and hunt for a variety of game. The great outdoors were always a place of peace and comfort for her.
Before leaving the workforce to raise her family, Donna was employed at the Watervliet Arsenal. It was there that she met her Prince, her loving husband of 46 years, David Honsinger, Jr. When they weren’t two-stepping on the dance floor together, or out yard-saling, they could often be found at the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corp, where both served as active members of the ambulance service for over 20 years.
Donna also had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. She owned and operated several home based businesses throughout her lifetime, including a home-made craft shop, a consignment clothing shop, dried herb and spice shop, quail, chicken and turkey farming, and she ran a thriving ebay business.
Donna often said she didn’t have “a pot to piss in,” but in truth she led a rich life, touched many lives, and leaves behind a legacy that will long remain. She is survived by her husband, David, and her children; James “Jimmy” Hennessy (Jackie Wilcox), Delia Hubbard, Robert “R.J.” Honsinger (Melissa Flaherty), Donna Riley, and Nedra (Walter) Apple, her step-children; David (Susie) Honsinger, III, Karyle Hills, Michael Honsinger, and Laura Johnson. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren; Andrew, Leah, Lily, Samantha, Emily, Megan, Timothy, Claire, Lauren, Benjamin, and Violet, as well as her brothers; Harry Horton and Gary (Barbara) Horton. She is predeceased by her parents; Robert Harry Horton and Nedra Mae Miller, her brother Robert “Bobby” Horton, and her 1st husband, James Hennessy.
Donna requested that no formal services be held after her passing. Family and friends will be invited to a celebration of life campfire at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Adirondack Woodsmen Inc., where Donna was the first female member, and served as club secretary until the time of her passing. Donations should be earmarked for the “Send a Kid to Camp'' fund, which allows the club to provide full tuition scholarships for children and teens to attend New York State DEC Camps in the Adirondack Mountains. Adirondack Woodsmen Inc. 2 Lincoln Rd Poestenkill, NY 12140.
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