Donna Elizabeth Schaffer, beloved Mother, Sister, Grandmother, and Friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on September 13, 2022. Donna was born in Lynn, Massachusetts on November 12, 1944 and was the eldest of five children.
Donna attended the University of New Hampshire, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Education. She moved to the Virgin Islands after college and met her husband, Peter Schaffer, while the two were teaching at the same local high school. Donna taught English and Peter taught History. She continued her scholarly education, earning her Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. She received her Fellowship from the Folger Institute and continued on to Law School at the University of Oklahoma. She was an editor for 50 years and worked at The Economy Company, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, Pearson, Simon and Schuster, Thomson Heinle, and Bridgestone Publishing. In addition to being an editor, Donna was also the author of numerous educational and children’s books.
Donna embodied the true essence of kindness. She loved unconditionally and lived a lifetime deriving joy from giving to others. Donna loved skiing, cooking, reading, writing, dancing, Shakespeare, traveling, limericks, living and working in New York City, and her family and friends. She loved escaping to the Catskills or the mountains of Taos. Will Rogers once said that he never met a man he didn’t like. Donna never seemed to meet a person she didn’t like; a true testament to her caring, kind, and loving nature. She had a heart of gold and was a bright light to all of those around her. Her approach to life was to do good and make things more exciting.
Donna is survived by her daughters, Stephanie and Rebecca Schaffer, her devoted former husband, Peter Schaffer, her son-in-law, Tom Crum, her siblings: Deedie and Chuck Kriebel, Debby and Chip Kling, Robert Mellett, Dorothy Mellett and her sister-in-law, Wendy Appel. She is survived by her Grandchildren: Dakota Reynolds, Milan Schaffer, and Ovie, Colt, and Cassidy Crum, her nieces and nephews: Kimberly and Charlie Olson, Eric Kriebel, and Michael Appel, her great nieces and nephews: Chilali and Linnea Olson, Heidi, Hayley, and Kyle Kling, Nic and Alex Mellett, and Sebastian and Sasha Appel. She is also survived by her dear friends, the Reynolds family and the Valverde family. Donna’s family from the east coast was with her in her final days, surrounding her in a cocoon of love. A Memorial Service has been held. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local library.
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