Donna Joy Foster Myer passed away Dec 2nd. Survived by her husband David Myer, son Gerald Myer, daughter Sally Dancy, 3 grandsons Zackery, Christopher and Benjamin, and son in law Ron Dancy. We mourn Donna as a unique force in our lives and the world. She was a voracious gatherer of data who strove to pass on knowledge. Caring deeply about and active in so many causes, she was guided by science, creativity, justice, love of God & family. She will be missed. In lieu of flowers we ask that you consider donating to the Carter Center https://www.cartercenter.org or your favorite social justice, environmental, or health charity. If flowers are your choice the family asks for a living plant, (Donna’s favorite were orchids). There is so much to say about Donna, we her family, would love to have you join us for her celebration of life held in person and on zoom at Faith UCC (970 N Loop 337 New Braunfels, TX 78130) on January 5th. Visit with family, see special mementos, and share memories of Donna from 2-4pm, guided service will start at 3pm central time. If you’d like to read more about Donna’s life, see below…
Donna was born on August 7, 1944, in the District of Columbia during WW2. Her mother worked at the Pentagon and her father a US Marine. In her early years she moved from the DC area to New Mexico then to Pennsylvania with her parents as her father served the country, became an Electrical Engineer, and eventually a professor at Penn State University.
Donna was a unique individual from birth. She started life as a miracle rainbow baby – her parent’s only surviving child/pregnancy, she herself was a month premature. Her antics as a child made for legendary stories told by her mother who was a natural (and brilliant in her own right) storyteller & writer.
Donna entered Penn State University to study science. In Calculus class she met the love of her life David Myer. The two of them fell in love while studying together and shortly after graduating with their Bachelor of Science degrees they married. While studying in graduate school, Donna became pregnant with Sally. She decided to finish college with a master’s degree just weeks before Sally was born while David continued to work towards his doctorate. They moved to Charleston SC where David found a college teaching position, Donna a position in Charleston’s Substance Abuse Commission. Shortly thereafter, they adopted Gerald.
It could be said Donna had many lives with aspirations from artistic to scientific to social. She was a scientific illustrator, researcher of RNA & amoeba, substance abuse prevention & intervention, staff trainer for Department of Developmental Disabilities of SC, and throughout she had stints as an independent science educator in brain & body connections (examples: stress management, bio feedback, medical care). She had started several doctoral programs along the way but her passion for her children and family would take precedence. She used her professional skills, knowledge, and creativity to advocate for all of us.
She was deeply spiritual and her belief in God, the universe, and humanity carried her through her life. The foundations of the goodness of creation, justice, and her persistent autonomy drove her scientific, philosophical, and political beliefs. She often expressed this through her dedication and activism in the Methodist churches of her youth in Pennsylvania, Circular Congregational Church in Charleston SC, and Faith UCC in New Braunfels TX.
Another foundational aspect of her life was family history. The family – including Donna- has a long tradition of researching, documenting, & preserving artifacts. She proudly kept and displayed items from the time of the Mayflower, Revolutionary war, Civil war, and Gilded age. Although she was proud of her roots, she was equally dedicated to progressing our society into the future by following the data, not continuing mistakes, and righting the wrongs of past generations.
Before and after her retirement years she stayed active and vocal, urning to use her creativity to not just communicate the data but her deepest feelings. She trained and completed a triathlon. She started several non-profits and was active in others. She dreamed of being a novelist. She learned how to play the Native American flute and a variety of drums. And she cultivated a relationship with her grandsons by moving to Texas and becoming their passionate supporter.
Donna made it to 58 years of marriage and to 80 years of life. The last few were, by her own admission, difficult and she often would speak of how she had already outlived her wildest expectations. She fought through many challenges in her life. Until November, she did so physically, mentally, and by actively trying to change the world for the better. When her time came, she defied explanation & expectation to the very end. She would have wanted it no other way.
