Donna Hein Obituary

After a courageous battle with cancer, Donna went on to her eternal life in Heaven on the last day of July. She was predeceased by her parents, Robert Hein and Florence (King) Hein, and her sister, June Auld. Donna earned her BS and MS in education at Cortland College. A life-long learner, she continued taking graduate courses at Binghamton University and at the Endicott Teachers' Center, where she was always eager to learn new teaching methods, try them, improve them, and share them. Donna taught elementary school at Thomas J. Watson School in Endicott, NY from 1972-2004. She began as a sixth grade teacher, known for big projects her students loved, with colleagues Jerry Gorski and Bob Holmes, such as the Medieval Fair, and trips to New York City to the Bronx Zoo and to Broadway matinees. Donna decided to to move to teaching primary grades, initially third grade, then first, transitional first, and kindergarten. She and Norma Doolittle developed and taught together a program called T.I..M.E. For children who needed some extra time to be ready for first grade, combined with half- day kindergarteners, and Norma Doolittle's regular first graders. The children moved fluidly between rooms as needed, and had the benefit of having two outstanding teachers. Donna was always there for children who needed support and encouragement. She was tickled and pleased when a student said, "You know what I love about you, Miss Hein? No matter what happens, you never have a cow!" Donna ended her career teaching all day kindergarten. She'll be remembered as an inspiring and dedicated teacher. A year after retiring, Donna moved away from snowy winters to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she enjoyed time with wonderful friends, old and new, since many former colleagues also moved to the area. Still dedicated to the welfare of children, Donna became a South Carolina volunteer Guardian ad Litem, a neutral person appointed by the court to investigate what solutions would be "in the best interest of the child," in cases where children were removed from parents and placed in foster care. She did this for several years, and her written reports were used to train new Guardian ad Litems on what to include and how to organize and present the information. Donna is survived by her brothers David (Lorraine) Hein, Michael (Jeannine) Hein, double cousin Georgette (Walter) Dzubiak, several other cousins, many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, best friends and housemate, Nancy Mangialetti, and her 18 year-old Cockapoo, Mojo. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna Hein, please visit our floral store.