Donna Jean (Shafer) Yacavone

Donna Jean (Shafer) Yacavone, 77, of Melbourne, FL died peacefully at her home on Tuesday June 23, 2020 after a 4-year battle with dementia.

Donna was born in Cobleskill, NY on September 26, 1942 to Franklin Leland Shafer and Murial Enfield (Bassler) Shafer. She was a 1960 graduate of Cobleskill High School and a 1964 graduate of Ithaca College where she was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Music Education.

Donna married William E. Yacavone (“Bill”) on December 28, 1968, going on to have two children, Stephanie and Jennifer.

Donna was employed for 12 years at Homer High School as the Band Director; 30+ years at St. Margaret’s Church as Choir, Music and Liturgy Director; 11 years as an in-home daycare provider; 4 years as a Music Teacher at St Mary’s School; 30+ years as an in-home private music teacher; and 17 years as Director of the Cortland Old Timers Band.

Donna loved to read, watch the New York Yankees, drive around town in her Volkswagen Beetle, research the family genealogy, and continued her love of music.

Donna was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many, many people.

Donna was predeceased by her parents, Franklin and Enfield, infant brother, John Lewis Shafer; and her husband of 44 years, Bill who died in 2013.  She is survived by her two daughters, Stephanie (Joe) Tassone of Salt Point, NY and Jennifer (Dean) Fitzgerald of Melbourne, FL; four loving grandchildren, Adrianna and Dante Tassone and Kellen and Erin Fitzgerald;  her sisters, Joan Lee (Shafer) Laurent of Mountainside, NJ and Jean Ann (Shafer) Kasile of Madison, WI; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 am on Tuesday at Ascension Catholic Church at 2950 N. Harbor City Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935. The funeral service will be recorded and can be viewed on the Ascension YouTube channel (there will be a delay):  https://youtu.be/KhTY1IOafGY

Calling hours will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Monday at Beach Funeral Homes, 4999 N Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940.

There will be a private graveside service at a later date for immediate family only at St Mary’s Cemetery, Cortland, NY.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Memory of Donna S. Yacavone to either: Hospice of St Francis, Melbourne, FL (https://www.hospiceofstfrancis.com/donate); or the Cortland Old Timers Memorial Fund, Attn: Sharon Detzer, treasurer, 4101 Pine Hollow Road, Locke, NY 13092.

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