Donelda LaBrake

Donelda R. (Choate) LaBrake, age 84, wife of David L. LaBrake, of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2021 in her residence. Born on April 8, 1937 in Lancaster, New York, she was a daughter of the late Ruth (Tubbs) and J. Harry Choate. Donelda graduated in 1958 from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Art and Design where she was active on the fencing team and became an accomplished artist. She met and married her future husband David at RIT. They remained faithfully married, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, for nearly 63 years until parted by death. Donelda was a very loving and faith-filled wife, mother, and grandmother. Early in her faith life she was Chairperson of the Valley Forge Christian Women's Club. She had a strong and resolute faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. She passed her faith in Jesus on to her children, and fully demonstrated her unwavering faith when diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable illness three weeks prior to her death. Love of family and grandchildren were central to her mission in life. She was deliberate and honest about working to pass her faith to her family, and she consistently exhibited a strong work ethic and drive for excellence in every aspect of her life. Each of her children benefited greatly from her mentorship and devotion to her family. She passed on her love for nature and flowers to her son Derron, who became a practicing botanist and ecologist. Derron also benefited from her creative genes as he refurbishes very old houses and makes furniture. Delmalyn, her only daughter, received her artistic talent and caring spirit as an artist and nurse. Donelda's attention to detail and mechanical reasoning were passed to her youngest son Dwayne, the PhD scientist. As the children grew, she had more time to explore her passion for art and design. She worked as a substitute art teacher for the Phoenixville School District when her children were young and later worked as a commercial design artist for Avon Products, Gibson Greeting cards, Lenox China and the Cointreau Liqueurs and as an interior designer. In her later years, she became an accomplished wildlife and recognized botanical artist. In 2004, her painting of Paphiopedilum g. Jacqi was featured in the 11th International Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration https://www.huntbotanical.org/exhibitions/show.php?29. In 2017, Donelda's painting of a parrot tuip was the artwork used at the entrance for the Philadelphia Flower Show (Holland: Flowering the World). She started as a student in 1996 and later became a beloved instructor of botanical illustration at Longwood Gardens. Her paintings are part of private collections including Longwood Gardens and the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation at Carnegie Mellon University https://huntbot.org/internatcat/artwork/labrake-donelda-choate. In addition to her husband, Mrs. LaBrake is survived by her children: Delmalyn (Norman) Vaughn, of Cheltenham, Derron (Susan) LaBrake, of Havertown and Dwayne (Cynthia) of Cedar Park, TX; eight grandchildren: Peter Vaughn, Naomi (Matthew) Dassow, Kathryn LaBrake, Aileen LaBrake, Fiona LaBrake, Carder (Conley) LaBrake, Cole LaBrake and Christian LaBrake; siblings: Jean Suess, of Lancaster, NY and William Choate of Corfu, NY; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Donelda was preceded in death by a brother: Hugh Choate. A private entombment service will be held in the Limerick Garden of Memories. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donelda's name to Charity International Ministries, P.O. Box 307, Cheltenham, PA 19012. Charity International is a Haitian Orphanage that Donelda supported for many years. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell - Ennis - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Phoenixville. Condolences may be offered online at www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.

Donelda LaBrake

April 8, 1937 - April 17, 2021