Donna Ryan Amato

GUILDERLAND – Donna Ryan Amato passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, November 26, 2011. She was born on June 27, 1954 in Albany to the late James E. and Jane E. Ryan.

Donna attended Guilderland High School and received her BA from D’Youville College and her Master’s from the College of St. Rose. She proudly taught special education at the Center for Disability Services followed by 17 years of teaching and nurturing first grade students at Guilderland Elementary School.

She is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Peter Amato, and their two children Daniel (Amie) Amato and Matthew Amato and his girlfriend Kate Fox. She is also survived by her sister and closest friend Colleen Lewyckyj (John) and her brother James W. Ryan.

Donna’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Harold Burstein M.D. and Georgia Litsas (NP) of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Nina Lake and The Community Hospice of Albany, and Dr. James Craig and his staff.

A special thanks is extended to all Donna’s friends who continued to lift her spirits each and every day.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Tuesday morning at 9:30, and from there to Christ the King Church, 20 Sumpter Ave., Guilderland at 10:30.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Monday from 4-7 p.m.  The parish family of Christ the King Church will gather at 4:30 pm Monday in the funeral home for a service of prayer and remembrance.  All are welcome.   Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont.  Donations in memory of Donna may be made to either the Center for Disability Services Attn: Pinewoods Residence at 314 South Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or The Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home or church, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Click here to obtain directions to the church.

Cemetery located at 481 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077 .