Donna L. LoVette

Donna L. (West) LoVette, of Genoa, NY, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025 at the age of 88, just shy of her 89th birthday. Donna was born to Salvation Army pastors Arthur and Clarinda West (née Akers) on January 31, 1936 in New Brighton, PA. Growing up with her brother Charles, they moved often to follow their parents ministry.

After graduating high school in Erie, PA, Donna worked at Borg Warner and New York Telephone Company, served as program director for Salvation Army Golden Agers, and retired from a secretary position at Lansing United Methodist Church.

Donna was always very involved in the Salvation Army. In her younger years, she was a counselor at Long Point Camp when they first opened. She was a youth group leader, Sunday school teacher, and volunteer. A talented musician, she played the piano and English horn in the Salvation Army Band, a dedication that spanned 53 years.

Donna had a love for books and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed watching classic movies and musicals, and introduced her favorites, especially Gone With the Wind, to her children and grandchildren. She made many home movies herself, recording family gatherings and trips. She was also a true animal lover and deeply cared for her pets, which included many dogs and cats throughout her life.

Over the years, Donna and her husband Harry had an elaborate vegetable garden. Her family remembers her as a skilled cook, making home-made noodles, bread, and her mother’s southern dishes.

There was nothing she cherished more than being with her family. She adored her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their school and sporting events and always offering support and encouragement. As a woman of strong Christian faith, she prayed for her family and friends daily and was always putting others first.

She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Clarinda West; sister, Lois; brother, Charles; and husband, Harry LoVette.

Donna is survived by her children, Dorinda “Dori” (Jeff) Cook, David (Amber) Pettigrew, Michele LoVette Vance, Denise LoVette, and Renee (Todd) LoVette-Gyler. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Danielle (Adam) Gerritsen, Landon Cook, Erica (John) DeVoll, Hollie (Jeff) Muchard, Lauren Blair, Paul (Jessica) Vance, Michael Pettigrew, and Matthew (Randa) Pettigrew; and her great-grandchildren, Levina, Clarissa, Wrenley, Nova, Michael, Gabriel, Caleb, Scarlet, Olive and Rose. Also surviving are her sister-in-law, Loretta West; former daughter-in-law, Caroline Pettigrew; her beloved dog, Bandit; and a family that was extended by David’s marriage to Amber, including her children and grandchildren: Christina & Clay, Tabitha & Jake, Codey, Ivey & Scottie, Zachary, River, Ozzy, Seamus, Maeve, Fianna, and Luella.

Memorial services for Donna will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025 at The Salvation Army, 150 North Albany Street, Ithaca, NY 14850. The family will be present to receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the service, guests are invited to a reception that will continue until 3:00 p.m. Later in the afternoon, Donna will be laid to rest following a committal service at 4:00 p.m. at the NYS Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes (formerly Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery) in Romulus, NY.

If you wish to honor Donna’s memory, contributions may be directed to the the local Ithaca Salvation Army at the address above or to the Tompkins County SPCA. Her family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Brookdale Ithaca, where she resided for the past 3 years, and the staffs at Cayuga Nursing, Dryden Family Medicine and Cayuga Medical Center.