Obituary

Donna bsharah risden, 62, of charleston, passed away tuesday, jan. 21, 2014, at home. She was a special education teacher at midland trail elementary school, belle. She had an unmatched passion for teaching and sharing ideas. She changed the lives of dozens of students in her years at riverside high and midland trail elementary. She was an interior designer at the diamond department store and capitol light. She also was an instructor for weight watchers. If you knew donna, you were a blessed person. She would give all of herself to serve others, whether it be her family, her friends, her church – even strangers. A brilliant artist and wrote eloquent poetry, donna could sketch any object and craft any song with delightful elegance and whimsy. Donna was also an extremely creative person. Donna was a lifelong resident of charleston and a member of st. George orthodox cathedral. She was well-known for her tabouleh and hummus, sold by st. George cathedral’s food booth during symphony sunday. She was a graduate of charleston high school, west virginia university and received her master’s degree in special education from marshall university. Donna was a member of st. George orthodox cathedral’s liturgical choir and the shums i’ll bir club, where she served multiple terms as president, and was active in charleston high school’s reunion committee. In honor of donna, we request that you wear something in her favorite color – green – to the service. She was preceded in death by her father, ernest bsharah, and godmother, ethel “appoo” haddy. She is survived by her mother, virginia “jenna” haddy bsharah; son, scott alexander risden of charleston; sister, emily bsharah of charleston; brother, ernest (ann) bsharah of charleston; nieces, megan and jenna bsharah; and godchildren, jason bertran, alex smith, ashley and brent bsharah. Funeral service will be noon saturday, jan. 25, at st. George orthodox cathedral, charleston, with the very rev. Father olof h. Scott and the rev. Father stephen j. De young officiating. Burial will follow at sunset memorial park, south charleston. Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in donna’s memory to st. George orthodox cathedral, p.O. Box 2044, charleston, wv 25327. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com. Barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Donna bsharah risden, 62, of charleston, passed away tuesday, jan. 21, 2014, at home. She was a special education teacher at midland trail elementary school, belle. She had an unmatched passion for teaching and sharing ideas. She changed the lives of dozens of students in her years at riverside high and midland trail elementary. She was an interior designer at the diamond department store and capitol light. She also was an instructor for weight watchers. If you knew donna, you were a blessed person. She would give all of herself to serve others, whether it be her family, her friends, her church – even strangers. A brilliant artist and wrote eloquent poetry, donna could sketch any object and craft any song with delightful elegance and whimsy. Donna was also an extremely creative person. Donna was a lifelong resident of charleston and a member of st. George orthodox cathedral. She was well-known for her tabouleh and hummus, sold by st. George cathedral’s food booth during symphony sunday. She was a graduate of charleston high school, west virginia university and received her master’s degree in special education from marshall university. Donna was a member of st. George orthodox cathedral’s liturgical choir and the shums i’ll bir club, where she served multiple terms as president, and was active in charleston high school’s reunion committee. In honor of donna, we request that you wear something in her favorite color – green – to the service. She was preceded in death by her father, ernest bsharah, and godmother, ethel “appoo” haddy. She is survived by her mother, virginia “jenna” haddy bsharah; son, scott alexander risden of charleston; sister, emily bsharah of charleston; brother, ernest (ann) bsharah of charleston; nieces, megan and jenna bsharah; and godchildren, jason bertran, alex smith, ashley and brent bsharah. Funeral service will be noon saturday, jan. 25, at st. George orthodox cathedral, charleston, with the very rev. Father olof h. Scott and the rev. Father stephen j. De young officiating. Burial will follow at sunset memorial park, south charleston. Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in donna’s memory to st. George orthodox cathedral, p.O. Box 2044, charleston, wv 25327. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com. Barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston, has been entrusted with the arrangements. Donna bsharah risden, 62, of charleston, passed away tuesday, jan. 21, 2014, at home. She was a special education teacher at midland trail elementary school, belle. She had an unmatched passion for teaching and sharing ideas. She changed the lives of dozens of students in her years at riverside high and midland trail elementary. She was an interior designer at the diamond department store and capitol light. She also was an instructor for weight watchers. If you knew donna, you were a blessed person. She would give all of herself to serve others, whether it be her family, her friends, her church – even strangers. A brilliant artist and wrote eloquent poetry, donna could sketch any object and craft any song with delightful elegance and whimsy. Donna was also an extremely creative person. Donna was a lifelong resident of charleston and a member of st. George orthodox cathedral. She was well-known for her tabouleh and hummus, sold by st. George cathedral’s food booth during symphony sunday. She was a graduate of charleston high school, west virginia university and received her master’s degree in special education from marshall university. Donna was a member of st. George orthodox cathedral’s liturgical choir and the shums i’ll bir club, where she served multiple terms as president, and was active in charleston high school’s reunion committee. In honor of donna, we request that you wear something in her favorite color – green – to the service. She was preceded in death by her father, ernest bsharah, and godmother, ethel “appoo” haddy. She is survived by her mother, virginia “jenna” haddy bsharah; son, scott alexander risden of charleston; sister, emily bsharah of charleston; brother, ernest (ann) bsharah of charleston; nieces, megan and jenna bsharah; and godchildren, jason bertran, alex smith, ashley and brent bsharah. Funeral service will be noon saturday, jan. 25, at st. George orthodox cathedral, charleston, with the very rev. Father olof h. Scott and the rev. Father stephen j. De young officiating. Burial will follow at sunset memorial park, south charleston. Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in donna’s memory to st. George orthodox cathedral, p.O. Box 2044, charleston, wv 25327. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com. Barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston, has been entrusted with the arrangements.