Donna B Harrop

Donna Belle (Kelly) Harrop

Donna was born on December 5, 1939, to her proud parents Lawrence and Mary Kelly. She grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her parents, grandparents and her cherished Aunts helped her learn to cook, play the piano, sing hymns, and write in perfect cursive. She shared these gifts throughout her life.  

Donna was an accomplished pianist. She accompanied her Baldwin High School choir and many youth groups.  She graduated in 1957, from Baldwin High School in Whitehall, Pennsylvania. She attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, where she met the love of her life, Walter Harrop.  Donna earned a degree in 1961, majoring in mathematics.  The friends she met at Muskingum College were important to her and she stayed connected to them throughout her life.

On August 11, 1962, Donna and Walt were married in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in the Pittsburgh suburb of Whitehall in the South Hills. Donna said she “loved every minute of it” of their near 60 years of marriage.  Together Donna and Walt raised two wonderful boys. Kyle Lawrence, born in Cincinnati, Oh and worked for Indiana Association of School Principals, passed away in 2018.  Trent Walter was born in Coshocton, Ohio. He works as a social studies teacher in Western Latham School District in Pike County, Ohio.  Donna loved watching Kyle instruct music and Trent coach basketball.

Donna began her education career at Wallace Junior High (1961-1962) in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, Dresden High School (1962-1965), Mt. Healthy (1965).  She then took 14 years off to raise her boys.  She began teaching again in 1979, at River View in Warsaw, Ohio, and finished her career in Ashland High School in 2002.  As a teacher Donna focused on helping her students become better people. She enjoyed being a Delta Kappa Gamma member. Following retirement, Donna and Walt traveled regularly with wonderful memories of cruises and time at Longboat Key, Florida.

A faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the choir, played in the bell choir, and was part of the prayer shawl committee.  Donna loved to sew, cross-stitch, and crochet; she made beautiful, quilted jackets, table runners, clothes, purses, gifts, and prayer shawls, many of which she gifted to others.  Her cooking skills, meal preparations, and entertaining were praised.  Donna was a Rainbow Girl, Scout Den Mother, volunteered on the Board of Elections, and with the Cleveland Indians Heavy Hitters.  She used her gifts to help others and make them feel special. She knew how important quality time was and spent time with her family and friends making special memories.  Donna was a servant to the Lord Jesus, and her family, and her community.

Donna Belle (Kelly) Harrop went peacefully to the Lord on July 19, 2022, in Ashland, Ohio. Donna will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and quips, as well as her strong faith. She is survived by her loving husband Walt, beloved son Trent and his beautiful wife Julie who live in Waverly. Along with Julie’s two son’s Ryan Mason (Ashley and children Lauryn, Peyton, Brynley, Bodhi) and Jarrod Mason (daughter Adria); her cousins, Laurie Bailey (Frankie) and Janet Phillips both of Sarasota, Florida; her cousin Cheryl Wilson of West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.  Her brother-in-law Richard Harrop (Judy) of Lamoni, Iowa and her sister-in-law Cathy Burrell (John) of Liberty Center, Iowa.  She is survived by many special nieces and nephews, and countless friends. 

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm on Sunday July 24, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church 320 Church Street, Ashland, Ohio, with Pastor Justin Hylden officiating.

Friends may call at the church from 2:00 – 4:00 pm on Sunday at the church.

Additional calling hours will be held from 12:00 -2:00 pm on Monday July 25, 2022, at the Shawnee United Methodist Church, East Walnut Street, Shawnee 

Following calling, internment will take place at the Shawnee Cemetery on Monday, July 25, 2022. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Donna’s memory to 

First Presbyterian Church 

320 Church Street

Ashland, Ohio 44805

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