Donna Gayle Kraus died on October 15, 2019, at the age of 76. She passed away suddenly in Zurich, Switzerland as she and her husband were about to embark on a river cruise vacation along the Rhine River. As was true throughout her life, Donna had a special gift for making friends all over the world and she planned to reunite with close German friends while on this vacation.
Donna spent the majority of her life in Rochester, New York, where she was born and attended high school. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from State University of New York College at Cortland and taught math in the Greece Central School District. Donna married Robert Peter Kraus, Jr. in 1966 at Laurelton Presbyterian Church in Rochester, prior to his deployment to Vietnam. Shortly upon his return from service, Robert was recruited by Kodak and they moved to the town of Chili where they purchased their first home and subsequently raised their two children, Christopher and Susan.
Donna was a loving wife, mother and friend and she will always be remembered for her outgoing personality, loving spirit, and generosity. Family was Donna’s pride and joy and her door and dinner table were always open to her children’s friends and to new friends in need of a place to call home.
Donna is survived by her husband Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., her two children, and her five grandchildren: Claire and Jack Kraus, and Seth, Grace and Liberty Machen. A memorial service has been planned for Donna on Saturday November 9, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Alvah Halloran & Son Funeral Home located at 2125 Chili Avenue in Rochester, NY.
In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation in the memory of Donna to the charity of your choice.
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