Iona Donnelly

Iona Donnelly, age 90, of West, passed away early Tuesday morning, May 3, 2005 at West Rest Haven where she had lived for over 6 years. Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Thursday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Gene Kotrla officiating. Burial will follow at West Brethren Cemetery near West. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Mrs. Donnelly was born on July 8, 1914 in West, the daughter of Henry F. and Rose (Svacek) Kramer. She attended West public schools and graduated from West High School in 1932 as Valedictorian of her class. She then attended Trinity University in Waxahachie, before entering Baylor University in Waco and receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1938. On November 25, 1942, she was united in marriage to Patrick Leo Donnelly, after his return from serving over seas in World War II. They moved to Littlefield in Lamb County, where he served as a game warden. He preceded her in death on July 5, 1985. She began a teaching career of near 50 years with her first experience in Leroy, before teaching in Morrisville and West, and then finally in Littlefield where she taught for over 20 years before her retirement. She was an active member of several professional organizations, including the Delta Kappa Gama Sorority in Littlefield. After her husband's death, she returned to West to make her home. She was a former member of First Presbyterian Church in Littlefield and a member of First United Church in West. Survivors who will miss her very much are numerous cousins including, Rita Svacek of West and Joe Svacek of Bethlehem, PA; and many other relatives and friends.