Donna Krause, 61, teacher and mother of 2 daughters

Donna Krause, 61, of Wynnewood, a teacher for nearly 20 years who did not let disease or distance prevent her from being the mother of two daughters, died at home of pancreatic cancer Oct. 6.

The former Donna Shulman married Mitchell Krause in 1969, and the couple lived in Bologna, Italy, for three years while he earned a medical degree.

They returned to Philadelphia, and she began teaching third grade in 1972 at Anderson Elementary School in West Philadelphia.

Mrs. Krause was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1977 and was told she could not have a child. Despite the risk, she underwent brain surgery and had her first daughter, Dava, 29 years ago. She continued to teach and wanted another child.

"We visited China and Donna was told by our guides that baby girls are often put up for adoption," her husband said. "Two years later, we got our daughter, Sophie Longnu, who is now 9."

Mrs. Krause retired from teaching in 1990. For the rest of her life, she was active with Families with Children from China.

A 1964 graduate of Lower Merion High School, Mrs. Krause earned a bachelor's degree in 1968 from Temple University and a master's in 1975 from Villanova University, both in education.

"My mother could swear like a sailor and did not mind getting down and dirty in her garden," said her daughter Dava, who is a stand-up comic in Los Angeles. "We laughed so hard together that we cried."

Mrs. Krause was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer one year ago.

"She was peaceful in her garden near her koi pond, where she told stories and enjoyed friends," her husband said. "Many of my patients preferred to talk to her instead of me."

In addition to her husband and daughters, Mrs. Krause is survived by her father, Sidney Shulman, and a brother, Maury. Her mother, Lillian, died five days after her daughter.

Graveside services were held Oct. 7. Donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, Calif. 90245.