Donna was my boss at the Columbus Public Library Bookmobile from 1974 to 1977. She was the best boss I ever had! She was incredibly organized and detail oriented and she kept us on our toes.  We were all young and full of fun. Coming to work everyday was a real joy and we made the most of our time together. It's funny the things you remember about a person. One of the things I remember about Donna is that she was probably the best driver I know. She was master of the stick shift and I always felt so comfortable riding with her.  My only regret is that I didn't stay in touch with Donna.  My husband, Joel and I send condolences to Donna's family. May her memory be eternal.

Donna and I met over 50 years ago when we first met working at the then Columbus Public Library. Later we had been roommates for several years. My heart is broken on hearing of Donna's passing as we were so sure she would outlive me. We shared lots of fun times traveling on day trips and for a long time we celebrated every St. Patrick's Day together. She was very supportive and with me through every crisis and good time in my life. We hadn't seen each other for a few years but we always traded birthday cards, and for Christmas and St. Patrick's Day. Memories of what a terrific and fun person she was will always be with me. She was that kind of friend. My condolences to her sister and niece and nephew and all her many friends. Donna made friends everywhere.

Dear Family of Donna Boyce,

I sent a note to the OSU Chadwick Arboretum Volunteers and have received many beautiful tributes. We first met when I was co-coordinating the Franklin County Master Gardener program. I believe that she trained in this program in 2006, although it might have been earlier. She was a volunteer with us for many years and served a very important and detail oriented fiscal role in the Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale as the Bar-Coded Tag Coordinator. Each the year she refined the system in such detail to improve its inaccuracies. Volunteers who served on her team returned year after year. She took great pride in decorating her rather dank space in our barn and turned it into a "sunny" and cheery place--she even brought extra lights to brighten things up! And, of course, she would bring her bagpipe music! She loved her Welsh heritage and we seemed to be in touch on every Feast of St. David and Feast of St. Patrick. We were both Celts and that was a common and strong bond for us. 

Donna also took charge of our promotional signage for the Spring Plant Sale. She prepared detailed spread sheets with photos and more and would advise me on signs that needed to be updated. At the end of the sale she collected all of the signs throughout the greater campus and brought them to the barn to be cleaned and inventoried. She was meticulous! 

She also kept the library at Chadwick Arboretum in good order. She would spend hours quietly updating the details and added a tracking system to all of our books. It was a tedious, but necessary task and she seemed so willing to help. 

Donna's eyes were soft and kind, and I was so sad to hear of her Multiple Myeloma diagnosis. I was impressed at how quickly she moved from her home into the retirement village. In hindsight she might have known that she wouldn't be fighting this disease for too long. It is my sincere hope that she died peacefully and without too much pain. She deserved the most gentle of transitions, that's for sure. 

Well, I can still see St. David's dragon on the back of her car, and her smiling face. She loved wearing her Master Gardener jean shirt and it was wonderful to see a photo of her wearing this shirt in your photo homage. 

Donna left this planet way too early, but now she'll be sending blessings to us from her heavenly perch. It is difficult to lose Donna, and our volunteers share their condolences. 

With deep sympathy and love,

Mary Maloney
Director, Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens
614-795-4089

OBITUARY

Donna Jean Boyce

19 September, 1945 – 27 August, 2020

Schoedinger Midtown

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