Donna Marie LaTour-Elefante, 64, died at her home on Oneida Street on Saturday, October 6, 2012 with her beloved son and daughter by her side. She was born November 23, 1947 in Bennington, VT, a daughter of the late Alfred and Evelyn Meyers LaTour. In 1963, she moved to Utica, NY with her family and attended St. Francis deSales High School, where she graduated in June 1965. She attended Utica College of Syracuse University, where she received a bachelor's degree in Education/French in January 1970. In February 1974, Donna was married to Michael Elefante, in a union that lasted 13 years and was blessed with two children. She returned to Utica College in 1980, where she graduated with honors in August 1982 with a degree in Psychology/Child Life Therapy. Blending her formal education with the personal experience of being a cherished child and then a mother, Donna embraced a professional vocation in service of children. From 1984 to 1988, Donna was Executive Director at Parents Anonymous. In searching for more and better ways to help families, she discovered the Nurturing Programs for Parents and Their Children, which she introduced to New York State, and went on to become a national trainer and consultant. In 1988, Donna founded her not-for-profit agency, the Family Nurturing Center of Central New York. By this time, she had formed a personal vision that "every child would be nurtured by at least one adult in their lifetime." As Executive Director, Donna fully shared her commitment to the conscious practice of nurturing, through both family traditions and community traditions. In 1990, she began organizing, to the last detail, the annual Family of the Year Celebration that selects and honors role model families. In 2006, she co-authored the Nurturing Program for Parents & Their Children with Special Needs & Health Challenges. In 2007, Donna realized a long held dream by opening Evelyn's House for Young Mothers and Babies, named for her mother. Very recently, with great emotion, Donna expressed her overwhelming gratitude for the acts of confidence and support provided by her beloved staff and board members, professional associates, funders, legislators, volunteers, personal friends and relatives who lent their hands, and the many families she served, whose own lives touched hers so meaningfully. Donna fully enjoyed every holiday, which she spent with her family, especially Christmas and Thanksgiving. She loved traveling, through the country and around the world, taking many trips with her children, her grandchildren and her father in his later years. She had a strong sense of family history and was dedicated to keeping traditions alive. She deeply loved her grandchildren and was so excited about the new baby to be born this year. She had a very special relationship with Mariana, traveling and seeing Broadway shows, passing on her many special gifts to her, and she had planned for more such pleasures with all of her younger grandchildren. Donna was a very spiritual woman and was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, where she served as a lector. People everywhere loved Donnas' laugh and her beautiful sense of humor. Her presence will be greatly and forever missed at home, in her church, at her agency and in all corners of our community. She is survived by two children, Melissa (David) Acquaviva of New Hartford and Davide Elefante and Kelly Carcone of Utica; three grandchildren, Mariana, Matthew and Frankie Acquaviva and was awaiting the birth of her fourth granddaughter, Arianna Rose Elefante; seven brothers and a sister, Alfred (Annette) LaTour, Jr. of Pownal, VT, Fred (Diane) LaTour of Utica, Larry (Maryann) LaTour of Liverpool, Evelyn (Frank) Amerosa of Utica, Christopher (Karen) LaTour of Amsterdam, Joseph (Margaret) LaTour of Whitesboro, Richard (Judy) LaTour of Rome and Scott LaTour of Barneveld; her fiancé, Eric Minugh of Utica; and many nieces and nephews, especially Shawnte and Amee, who was also her Goddaughter. She was predeceased by a brother, Arthur LaTour. The family extends a special thank you to her very, very close friends, Margaret Kojac, Colleen Cavallo, Julie Falatico, Lucia Borrometti, Michele Tryon and Kris Russell, for the dedication, love and care they showed throughout her life and illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 am from Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica. Private entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Calling hours are Tuesday from 4 - 8 pm at the Bentz & Amodio Funeral Service, Inc., 470 French Road, Utica/New Hartford. Memorial contributions may be made to the Donna LaTour-Elefante for the Children Fund, c/o The Community Foundation, 1222 State Street, Utica NY 13502. The fund has been started by David J. Zumpano, a long-time friend who admired Donnas' passion and commitment to children and families. To ensure that her mission continues, donations received during October will be tripled by the Zumpano family.