Donna Jean Harris

Donna Jean Harris (74), a resident of the Senior Apartments at the Wyomissing Club, Reading, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on October 31, 2025, at her home.

Donna was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 15, 1951. She was the daughter of the late Ralph Harris and Jean (Metzger) Harris. She lived in Wintersville, Ohio; Paris, Pennsylvania; Memphis, Tennessee; Boonton, New Jersey; and West Chester, Pennsylvania before moving to Reading around 1996.

Donna was a graduate of Union High School, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania; Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia; and the University of Southern Illinois, Carbondale, Illinois. She attained Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Psychology.  Donna’s working career was spent in the Office of the Memphis Attorney General, as the Director of Social Services at a skilled nursing facility in Parsippany, NJ, and as a Claims Specialist with CNA Insurance in Reading for nearly 21 years.

Volunteering was an important part of Donna’s life. She first started volunteering in 1976 at a women’s crisis centre in Memphis. After she retired in 2017, she began volunteering at Berks Encore in Reading. At Berks she worked two days a week at the front desk, assisted with packing Meals on Wheels every morning, and volunteered annually at the Berks Senior Expo. When asked why volunteering was such an important part of her retirement, Donna replied, “I enjoy being with people my age and the activities. I have been blessed to have retirement as leisure time. It is important to me to be able to use my limited skills to return help to people in need.” Berks Encore gave Donna new friendships, lots of hugs, and a sense of purpose.

Donna was always known for her love of colorful sweaters and caps, as well as for giving quirky birthday and Christmas presents. Donna is survived by her siblings, Steven (Janet), Mark (Connie), and James (Kathleen); niece Laura; nephews Caleb (Ashleigh) and Kyle (Corina); and grand-nieces and grand-nephews Penelope, Wyatt, Evelyn, and Noah.

Arrangements are being handled by Cramp Hummel Funeral Home of Reading, Pennsylvania. A Memorial Service will be held for family and friends at 9:30AM on Friday, November 21, at the Senior Apartments at the Wyomissing Club in Reading.  Online photos and memories can be shared with her family at www.cramp-hummelfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Berks Encore, 40 N. 9th Street, Reading PA 19601 or donate on-line at berksencore.org/one-time-donation/

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna Jean Harris, please visit our floral store.