Donna Ruth Botterbusch

Donna Ruth (Kimmel) Botterbusch, age 72, of Cleveland, TN, and formerly Thomasville, NC; and Dover, York, and Mechanicsburg, PA; died peacefully at her home on February 9, 2025. Donna was born on January 27, 1953, in Mechanicsburg, PA to the late John Israel Kimmel and Ruth Kuhns (Bushey) Kimmel. In addition to her parents, Donna is preceded in death by her sisters, Joyce Kimmel and Rose Ann (Kimmel) Whitesell. Donna is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Robert Botterbusch, children Adam Botterbusch (and wife Stephanie Botterbusch) and Carina (Botterbusch) Taylor (and husband Wes Taylor), four grandsons (Braxton, Henry, Jack, and Lincoln Botterbusch), nephew Richard Whitesell, grandnephew Remington, and siblings-in-law Cindy (Botterbusch) Malandro, Rich Botterbusch, and Steve Botterbusch and their respective families. 

Donna graduated from Mechanicsburg High School in 1971 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Shippensburg College in 1975. Donna is best described as an organizer and leader. She credits these gifts and opportunities to God. She was instrumental in countless organizations, including Joy School, a food co-op, and the York Homeschool Association; as well as initiating a movement for homeschool evaluations to be completed by non-teachers, establishing long-standing board game groups in each state she lived, providing computer tutoring and wellness coaching services, teaching others how to make kombucha and play pickleball, and establishing New Adventures Club in Cleveland, TN. These efforts demonstrate her life philosophies of “blaze your own trail,” “if it doesn’t exist - start it,” and “do what you believe in.” As a homeschool mom, she loved her diverse work opportunities, including sales, cleaning, data entry, retail management, delivery driving, and customer service. She devoted many years to the homeschool community serving in leadership positions; providing educational seminars about homeschooling; and providing evaluations, transcripts, and diplomas. Earlier in life, Donna also worked in food service, human resources, retail, secretarial, accounting, and printing. She credits her variety of work experiences to her lifelong ability to connect with others and build a vast network of loved ones. 

Donna was also an organizer and leader of unforgettable experiences within her family life. She and Robert enjoyed travel as a young couple, including Long Beach Island, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, White Sands Beach in Florida, and the western United States. Donna continued these adventures with Robert and their kids, including biennial trips to Long Beach Island and regular trips to the Poconos. Other treasured favorites include New Hampshire and Vermont; Pagosa Springs, Colorado; Indio, California; Ontario, Canada; the Outer Banks, North Carolina; and the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Adam’s and Carina’s families also joined for family trips, including a bucket-list trip to the Grand Canyon in 2023. 

Donna is described by others as impactful, loving learning and teaching, a loyal friend, fiercely herself, inspiring, influential, determined, and extremely loving and well-loved. Donna is also adventurous and courageous. After her first bout of cancer in 2015, her daughter encouraged her to do a triathlon in 2016 which resulted in a valued family activity through 2022. Donna often placed in her age group and was extremely proud to win her age group in 2018. Another example of her unique and genuine life was her hosting a living celebration of life open house with her family and friends on November 16, 2024. Donna was consistently amazed with and grateful for her blessings in life, which she saw as gifts from God. 

All are welcome to join Donna’s family on Monday, February 17, for an Open Visitation from 9:30-11:00 AM and Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM at Olewiler and Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion, PA. Immediately following, all are also welcome to join Donna’s family for a graveside reading and prayer at Susquehanna Memorial Gardens, 250 Chestnut Hill Road, York, PA. Donna's Tribute Service will be webcast on her obituary page at www.HeffnerCare.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BeLoved Asheville, which will directly support the residents of Western North Carolina (a region beloved by Donna) who are recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene. www.belovedasheville.com/donate