Obituary of Donabeth S. Jensen

Donabeth Shoop Jensen (1928-2022) passed peacefully in her home at the age of 94 on December 19, 2022. By her request, there will be no funeral, however a private service will be held by the family at a later date. Donabeth, a combination of her parents' names, Donald and Elizabeth, was raised in Hamburg, NY. She attended college at the University of Rochester where she remained to complete her training as a registered nurse. While working as an RN she met and eventually married Robert O Jensen. They were married for 62 years. Donabeth, referred to as Skipper by Bob, had always wanted "a dozen children" but settled on nine as life got busy and the household filled. She earned her nickname through her steady guidance, calm demeanor and patient commitment to her family. She was also the cornerstone for more than her family, helping her husband establish his surgical practice while still juggling the schedules for nine children. Rivaling her husband's shooting skills, she picked pheasants out of the fields and deer out of the woods. She was an accomplished breeder of AKC golden retrievers, and a full time fan of all her childrens' sporting events. The number of lives she touched, donations she made and counsel she provided behind the scenes will never be known, but also never forgotten by those she helped. Raising nine children, whose ages spanned just a decade, required her full devotion. After her youngest went off to kindergarten, she returned to her career as the elementary school nurse. She remained there for many years until she took her compassionate skills to volunteer at the Keuka Comfort Care. While she was most committed to raising and disciplining her own children, all who played at the house were "her children" and respected the family rules… one kickball a day, one slice of bread per sandwich, and no swearing! We were blessed with an upbringing that emphasized kindness, discipline, manners, hard work, and foremost family. Her life teachings will continue to guide us. Donabeth was predeceased by her husband, Robert Jensen and survived by Rebecca (Sohail) Shahzada, Robert (Julie) Jensen, Donabeth (William) Dahar, Eric (Kim) Jensen, Kimberly (John) D'Amore, Kristen Jensen, Wendy (Steve) Hill, Reid (Gretchen) Jensen, Peter (Jerri) Jensen, 17 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Keuka Comfort Care, PO Box 107, Penn Yan, NY 14527 where she volunteered or the First Presbyterian Church of Penn Yan, PO Box 639, Penn Yan, NY 14527.