Donlynn Graul 

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Donlynn Graul, 81, of Saratoga Springs, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026. Donlynn was born January 5, 1945, at Saratoga hospital, to Donald and Vivian Shepherd. After Donald’s passing in WWII, she was raised by her stepfather Charles Parish. 

Donlynn graduated Saratoga Springs High School in 1962, and proudly attended St. Rose College in Albany, earning her Master’s in Education. She taught elementary at Stillwater Central School for over 30 years, taking great joy in both her students and her close family of teachers. After retiring, she continued to give of herself, volunteering at Saratoga County Mental Health, Wesley, and Mary’s Haven. 

Doni was a communicant of St. Clement’s Church, loved her Rosary, and is prayerfully remembered by the Dominican Chapter at St. Clement’s, as she made her final vows as a Third Order Dominican many years ago. Doni lived fully, guiding others to do so as well. She and Bill traveled to Eastham, Cape Cod, yearly, often encouraging both family and friends to join. Her love of the Cape lives on through the generations who continue to enjoy the peace and beauty it has to offer. There were also adventures hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River, and visiting the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore with Bill, and further excursions with dear friend Marta Hitchen, including the Grand Old Opry and a National Parks tour.

Doni loved Saratoga as well, drinking joyfully from all the springs, and savoring her Tuesday afternoons downtown with Leslie. Home truly was her happy place, though, and she could often be found with a good history or mystery book, her family, and pink flamingos in her gardens. She was a talented quilt maker, leaving her family with many warm memories, literally! And her mac and cheese will forever go unrivaled.

Donlynn continues to be loved by her husband of 50 years, William L. Graul III, daughters Leslie Ives (Daniel) and Deborah Graul, dog JellyBear, cousins Susan Parish and Charlie Parish (Barb), grandchildren Katherine Ives (Chris), Joseph Ives (Brittany), and Frankie Rodriquez, beloved great-grandchildren Carter, Stella, Rylee, and Ryann (aka Pink).

She is remembered by her brother Charles Edward Parish, beloved nephews Chris, Pat, and Sean O’Leary, relatives Mike and Diana Graul, Jane and John Valetta, Anne and Jack Dejnozka, many beloved cousins, and all her chosen family, so many she chose to love. Doni is kicking back in the afterlife with those who went before—her sister Rosanne, father Donald, mother Vivian, Anne and William L. Graul Jr., dear friend Marta, chosen family Lisa and Gail, and fierce protector Zuni Bear.

Our family especially wants to thank those who have been such a great comfort over the last few years—Jane Valetta, Mary Troeger, Susie Parish, the Towne family, especially Molly and Susie, besties Jane Huffer, Sue Shaw and Donna Hartman, Dr. G, and the incredible friends and neighbors from the Eastside.

Family and friends are called to visit on August 11, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. To keep Doni’s memory alive, be kind to those around you—have a cup of coffee with a friend, send a handwritten letter to a loved one, cook a meal, visit the lonely, and most importantly love deeply and unconditionally.

If you would like to honor Donlynn’s legacy of giving love, compassion, and respite to all, please consider donating to Wellspring in her name, at 2816 US 9, Malta, NY 12020.

“Come to the living waters, Sinners obey your makers call. Come ye weary wanderers home. And find his grace is free for all”

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.