Beth Anne (Stitzel) Donghia, an adored teacher in the State College school community, died unexpectedly early Saturday at home, school officials said. She was 39, according to published obituaries.
‘All of us at State College Area School District were deeply saddened with the news of Beth’s passing,’ Acting Superintendent Mike Hardy wrote in an e-mail message to school employees. ‘Her presence will be sorely missed by many colleagues and students. … Our thoughts are with her family and friends.’
Donghia, of College Township, had been a physical-education teacher in the school district for 15 years. She taught health and physical education at Mount NIttany Middle School.
In 1994, an obituary notes, she married Patrick Andrew Donghia, an associate communications director for Penn State athletics. He and their two sons — one in second grade, the other in sixth grade — survive at home.
A daughter of Richard A. Stitzel, of Wyomissing, and the late Mary Anne (Kuhn) Stitzel, Beth Anne Donghia was a 1989 graduate of Holy Name High School, another obituary notes. She also held degrees from Penn State and Lock Haven University.
In addition to her sons, Grant and Connor; her husband; and her father, she is survived by three siblings and a grandmother, the obituary says.
A viewing is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. Another is scheduled for 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St., State College, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. that day.
Notes of condolence may be sent to Patrick Donghia at P.O. Box 863, Lemont, PA 16851.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Beth Donghia Memorial Fund at the State College Area School District, 131 W. Nittany Ave., State College, PA 16801.
At Mount Nittany Middle School, school counselors will be available to meet with students who would like to talk, Acting Principal Brian Ishler told parents via e-mail.
