Contributions to the tribute of DONNA GINSBURG

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The family of DONNA GINSBURG uploaded a photo

Monday, February 28, 2022

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Monday, September 6, 2021

Donna and my late wife, Lois Jean Bono, taught together for many years. Donna was an amazing teacher and loved by all who knew her. We spent many enjoyable times together. She will be missed. My condolences to the family.

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Melicent Wenig posted a condolence

Saturday, September 4, 2021

Donna and I met at the Lowell School. I taught fourth grade and she was in kindergarten. Although I was there only three years, we formed a lifelong friendship. It was 1968. Although I moved to south Florida in the late 70s we always kept in touch calling on a regular basis and I visited when I was in NJ. It was amazing that she could remember whatever I told her...people, places, etc. She was a natural born teacher. I used to tease her that one could tell the moment you talked to her. She will be sorely missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her. Melicent Wenig

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Alex posted a condolence

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

My deepest condolences to Barbara(thanks for reaching out), and everyone in Donna's family! I am so sorry I could not be there at the service. I had the great joy of having Donna as one of my mentors from the moment I first started teaching kindergarten at Bryant School. We worked in the school together for two years before she retired. I admired her "whole child" philosophy and how she nurtured what really mattered in each child. I valued her so much that when she retired I told her I was going to go back to her vacated classroom every now and then just to absorb the "Mrs. Ginsburg" vibes(and I did)! Also at the time of her retirement, she gave me her wonderful huge cut outs of the Three Little Pigs that children could stick their heads in and have fun role playing. My students loved them!! She absolutely was one of those people in my life that I knew was a "keeper!" As others have said here, her laugh, sense of humor, and warmth were exceptional and these and other qualities she possessed always restored my faith in humanity!! My friend Peter and I(Peter was also a teacher at Bryant she mentored- we were her "boys") would go out with Donna over the years for lunch and talk and laugh about so many things! She was an amazing support to me through the years whether it be comforting me through the death of a loved one, listening to my confusion over career direction, encouragement of my theatrical pursuits, and so much more. AND her holiday cards always made my winter season brighter!! I feel bad that I lost touch with her this last year or so, but she was always on my mind and in my heart-and will always be!! The take off song that fellow teacher Kathy wrote for Donna upon her retirement was to the tune of "Oh Donna." So, in my opinion, the answer to the original lyric's question, "Donna, where can you be?" is that Donna has wound up in her well-deserved spot in heaven - lighting it up with her wit, laughter and smile!!!

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Peg Gamse posted a condolence

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Quite a few years ago, Donna and I were talking about my grandson Davin who was 5 years old at that time and is 16 now. She mentioned that she wished she had taken her 4 books to introduce her kindergartners to the human body and normal processes with her. At the time, she could not remember if she or the school paid for them so she left them. The books were "About Scabs, The Holes In your Nose, The Gas We Pass and Everyone Poops". It came up because she loved the books and gave me the information to get them for Davin. I did get them for Davin, but I also went on search of first editions to give to Donna. I was able to find them and had them sent to her. When she got them she called to let me know. She was excited that her niece and nephews would have them and so touched to have a long missed piece of her past. Turns out that she loved having the books, which Barbara later found and, with her permission, scooped up for Nicole, Danny and Sammy. But it was clear to me that she also missed the interaction with the kids. While I would go to the ends of the earth and back for her…she got a laugh when I drew the line at producing more kids! I am grateful for so many things and our relationship was always at the top of that list. All the way almost to the end we could bring each other a laugh. She never lost her sense of humor or her deep love of her family. She was beautiful inside and out. Her caring nature, logical thinking, inquisitive mind and sense of wonder were among her many fine points. Her and George's 40+ year love affair was really something to behold. Navigating these last few years without him was very difficult for her. But she soldiered on and learned to do things he always had done for both of them. I cannot emphasize the joy it brought her when she finally perfected the morning breakfast egg sandwich, that first her dad, my Uncle Charles and then George made for her every day! Through everything, my cousin Donna definitely could eat! On my last trip up to visit her before Maryland and New Jersey closed for COVID, we went to Bonefish Grill. She hadn't been out for awhile so I put a pillow in the car and told her we could go home at any time she needed to. But she had her pallet set for a great meal! Salad, salmon, potatoes, asparagus, and their delicious bread. We took our time and she finished every last bite! Full and joyous at her accomplishment. We headed home. I pray that you are at peace my dear cousin. In time I will meet you there with Double Dark Chocolate Milano cookies in one hand and a huge bag of Dark Chocolate Bark Thins in the other! I will miss you and your laugh every day. Peg Gamse

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Nina Lazar posted a condolence

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Donna & I were colleagues at Washington Irving School in the 70's. Two of my children were very fortunate to be in Donna's Kindergarten class. What a great way for them to have been introduced to the Teaneck School System! They loved going to school and seeing Donna each day, and so did I. She sure DID make a difference in our lives. I offer my sincerest condolences to Donna's loving family... May her memory be for a blessing! Nina Lazar (mother of Nikki and Paul Mammano)

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Kathy Federici posted a condolence

Friday, August 27, 2021

Donna was a warm, caring, and loving person. Donna was a born teacher and she took great joy in nurturing every student that she taught. Although her physical presence is gone, she will live forever in our hearts. With sincerest condolences to Donna's family. Kathy Federici

In loving memory of

DONNA

1943 - 2021

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