Donna M. Shelatree

Donna Marie Shelatree, 76, of Venus, passed away peacefully early Monday morning, December 9, 2024 at UPMC Passavant Hospital in McCandless following a brief battle with cancer. She was born on April 23, 1948 in McKeesport; daughter of the late Ted and Dorothy Rybar. Donna graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Slippery Rock University and went on to receive her Master's in Education and Reading at Clarion University. She was an elementary teacher at Cranberry School District for a number of years before receiving her principal certificate from Westminster College and becoming Principal at Cranberry. Donna also was the supervisor of curriculum and instruction. Even after she retired, she stayed active in the education field by monitoring school programs for the Department of Education. Donna married Donald Shelatree on May 2, 1970, who survives. They moved into their dream farm in 1975 with no electric, no heat, and a hand pump in the kitchen. They became members of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion where they served as eucharistic ministers to shut ins for many years prior to the pandemic in 2020. Donna had a passion for breeding and selling horses. She sold numerous Arabian and part Arabian Pintos throughout the United States, Canada, and Britain. She enjoyed traveling to horse shows and won many championships along the way. Donna’s enthusiasm and dedication helped inspire and nurture others passions for horses as well, creating many lasting friendships. She had so many talents. Donna was always winning a photography contest or designing websites for others. Her contagious positive outlook, happy spirit, and cheerful humming will be dearly missed by her family and her “horsey” friends. Along with her husband, Donald, she is survived by her sisters, Sharyn Meredith and Janice Marklan, both of Pittsburgh; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by an infant son, Damon Scott Shelatree. Family and friends will be received from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Clarion with Rev. Monty Sayers presiding. Entombment will follow at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Donna’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org.

Donna M. Shelatree

April 23, 1948 - December 9, 2024