Barbara Anne (Brenner) Doner was welcomed into God’s kingdom on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.
Born on July 25, 1930, to J. Irvin and Elsie (Brookmyer) Brenner in Lancaster, Barbara graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School and Elizabethtown College.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 63 years: Floyd B. Doner.
She is survived by daughter: Cindi (David) Freeburn; son: Michael (Michele) Doner; and grandchildren: Derek, Christopher, and Chelsea Freeburn; Mark (Becky) Doner; and Megan (Brian) Snyder. Former exchange student, Patrick Bertrand, of Lyon, France, is also a beloved member of Barbara’s extended family.
Barbara was also preceded in death by her sisters: Ruth M. Brenner, Elsie B. Herr;, and brother: Paul Brenner.
Following graduation from Elizabethtown College, Barbara worked as a medical technologist at Lancaster General Hospital, and at Abington Memorial Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. When Barbara and Floyd returned to Lancaster County in 1962, she devoted her time to raising her family, and leading charitable initiatives in the Ephrata area.
She served as a four-time president of the Woman’s Club of Ephrata, was a long time member and president of the Ephrata Hospital Auxiliary, an advocate for the Ephrata Library, involved with Ephrata Area Social Services, on the board of the TRACK charity, and served on the Ephrata Area School Board. Barbara was chairperson of the Woman’s Club Charity Ball several times throughout her life. She also led several fundraising initiatives in the Community, from Home/Kitchen Tours to Candy-making for the Holidays. Barbara also returned to her Medical Technology career in 1974, working at Ephrata Community Hospital until her retirement.
Barbara was best known for her incredible culinary skills, honed through continuing self-education, and by attending courses at The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., and Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France. Barbara and Floyd hosted innumerable dinner parties and, in their retirement years, auctioned such events at their home to raise money for local charities. Floyd and Barbara shared a passion for travel, specifically cruising, and enjoyed many adventures especially in Europe.
Floyd and Barbara were long time members of Bethany UCC in Ephrata and spent nine years at Ephrata Manor, a UCC Home.
The family invites all extended family and friends to a memorial meal based on Barbara’s recipes on July 30, at the Donecker Chapel at Ephrata Manor, 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata. Please contact freeburncindi@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Memorial donations may be made to Bethany UCC, 140 E. Main St., Ephrata, PA 17522.
To leave a message of condolence, visit gravenorhomeforfunerals.com. Gravenor Home for Funerals, Ephrata, had charge of the arrangements.
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