Ilion, N.Y. -

Donna "Mimi" Steele, 69, of 30 Massachusetts Avenue, Ilion, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, December 3, 2008, comforted by her husband and three children.  Donna was born November 27, 1939 in Ilion, the daughter of Nelson and Dorothy March.  She graduated from Ilion Central School in 1957 and married Robert "Banjo" Steele on August 8, 1959 at the Annunciation Church in Ilion.  Donna was employed as an executive secretary for the superintendent of the Ilion Central School District, retiring in 2002.
Donna is survived by her husband, Robert "Banjo" Steele of Ilion, a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Kristin Steele of Lowville, NY, two daughters and a son-in-law, Chrissy Peck of Fabius, NY and Wendy and Richard Cummings of Groton, NY, a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Patricia March of Ilion, a brother-in-law  and sister-in-law, William and Carol Steele of Cedar Lake, NY and Bluffton, SC, a sister-in-law, Marilyn Nencetti of Lithia, FL, her grandchildren, Jenny and Hattie Steele, Jacob, Hannah, and Maggie Peck, Kylie Zehr, and Samantha and Nicholas Cummings, her step-grandchildren, Josh, Andrew, and Erin Cummings, a great grandson, Chad Peck, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  Donna is also survived by her many close friends.  The family would like to thank Susan Griffing RN at the office of Dr. Mark Griffing, Dr. Mary Cunningham and her staff at GYN Oncology of Central New York and the Forth Floor South at Crouse Hospital for their excellent medical care and compassion.
Donna was a board member for the American Cancer Society and a volunteer for Hospice.  She was a member of Curves and an avid runner, competing in the Utica Boilermaker several times.  Donna enjoyed camping and traveling with her husband.  She also enjoyed playing Mah Jongg with her close friends.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 10 a.m. at Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc., 100 Otsego Street, Ilion.  Friends may call on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support ovarian cancer research, education, and outreach at The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center at www.ovariancancercenter.org/contribution and designate your gift to Ovarian Cancer Gift Fund or through contact information provided at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at whfh1893@aol.com.
The Evening Telegram, Dec. 5, 2008