Obituary of Donna Lynn Weckerle-Hafner

Donna Lynn Weckerle Hafner of Williamsville, New York, daughter of the late George and Beverly Weckerle, passed away peacefully on January 14th three weeks shy of her 69th birthday. She is survived by her husband Wayne Hafner; her siblings, Diane Weckerle (the late Fred James) of Royal Oak, Michigan, Doreen (Robert) Sturm of West Hartford,Connecticut, Deborah (Thomas) Galley of Clarence, New York, George “Trey” (Terrie) Weckerle of Clarence, New York, and Darcy (David) Bracknell of Boca Raton, Florida; and several nieces and nephews and their children. Lynn grew up on High Park Blvd., in Eggertsville and graduated from Amherst Central High School. Though suffering from schizophrenia since her teens, she built a lasting marriage of 25 years and dearly loved her family and all those around her. She was kind, innocently honest and quietly dignified in the face of difficulty. She focused on the positive, in others and the world, having no patience for negativity. She was very grateful for every kind word, visit, shared cup of coffee or simply a friendly smile directed her way. Lynn was a perfect example of “living a life of gratitude”. Lynn loved reminiscing about her childhood on High Park, her family vacations, neighborhood gatherings, sharing memories of her Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, siblings and she adored her visits with her very young great nephews. Lynn also enjoyed fashion magazines, journals, her jewelry collection, pictures of family, take-out pizza, chips and Bison dip, “pop”, her pouches….. and filling them, her radio and most of all her shopping ……. which she came by honestly as Bev very graciously shared that “gene” with all of us. Throughout her adult life Lynn needed a lot of care and was extremely grateful for all of the help she received. It was the Galley family’s honor and pleasure to have Lynn become such a part of their family life and to love her, care for her and to help with her every need over the years. When Trey and his family moved back to Buffalo a couple of years ago it was the greatest gift he could have given his sister……..having his family return to the area, having her “Buffalo Family” increase in size, having her brother and his family to share in her care and simply having them to spend time with was priceless to Lynn as well as to Trey and his family. It is never easy with family living far away as Diane, the Sturm’s, and the Bracknell’s knew first hand; however, they took every opportunity they could, in spite of the distance, to visit, call, send a card or a gift, and to love her, support her and remember her. The family will be forever grateful for the care, the support, and the services the ACT Team and other members of the community provided over the years. It was truly a privilege for all of us to provide the care she needed throughout her life in whatever way we were able, for through it all she enriched our lives simply by knowing her and loving her. We have been truly blessed by her life, her love and her beauty. Lynn has taught us all to become greater human beings and we will miss her so. Friends are invited to join Lynn's family in celebrating her life on Saturday March 25, 2017 at 1:00 pm in the Forest Lawn Cemetery Chapel, 1411 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY. Those wishing to remember Lynn in a special way may do so by making a donation to the Assertive Community Treatment Team C/O Buffalo Psychiatric Center, 400 Forest Ave. Buffalo, NY 14213.