Donna M. Chaffee, 69, a longtime area resident, currently of Staatsburg, died Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie.

Born November 8, 1953, in Sayre, Pennsylvania, Donna was the daughter of Donald and Janice Bingham Chaffee. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from SUNY Oswego and master's degree in social work from SUNY Albany.

Most recently, Donna was a Sociology Instructor at SUNY New Paltz for approximately fifteen years until her retirement. One of the highlights of her teaching career was being able to lead groups on educational trips to locations around the world. These places included South Africa, Germany, and Denmark, among others.

She loved to travel, read mystery novels, and put together jigsaw puzzles. In her retirement, she was active with the Staatsburg Library and served as a Docent at the Staatsburgh State Historic Site (Mills Mansion).

Donna was an active member of the Reformed Dutch Church of Hyde Park, where she served as Sunday School Director.

On August 7, 1982, in Rhinebeck, she married Thomas Cervoni. Mr. Cervoni survives at home in Staatsburg.

In addition to her husband, survivors include her two sons, Andrew Chaffee Cervoni and Nathan Cervoni, both of Hyde Park; brother, Scott Chaffee, and wife, Ellen, of Van Etten, NY; niece, Diana Chaffee and husband, Chris, of New York City; nephew, Travis Chaffee, and wife, Kristen, of North Carolina; and brother-in-law, Joseph M. Cervoni, and wife, Susan, of Lady Lake, Florida.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, March 11th at the Reformed Dutch Church of Hyde Park, 4408 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park. Rev. Jan Fritzinger will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, Donna's family respectfully requests memorial donations to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692. (www.heart.org)

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park.

To send an online condolence, please visit Donna's obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.