Obituary of Donna Joyce Nymeyer

Donna Joyce "Mitchell" Nymeyer passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2023, at the age of 86. Donna was born January 2, 1937, in Claypool, AZ to Frank "Jerky" Mitchell and Nevada "Billie" Billingsley. Donna was the 6th of 8 children, graduated valedictorian of Globe High School (1955), and then went on to complete her degree in Education at the University of Arizona. While at the university, she married her high school sweetheart and basketball star Edwin Fred "Pudge" Nymeyer.

Ed & Donna settled into their life in Tucson, AZ where they spent the next 65 years supporting each other in their many life's pursuits. Upon graduation they welcomed the first of their four children whom she is survived by: Aaron (wife Stacey Christensen), Lincoln (wife Sheri Harn), Tracy (husband Tom Pursley), and Dana (husband Luis Bayardo). The years were kind to Donna as she leaves behind 25 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

Donna was an accomplished musician, most notably as a pianist and organist. She played until her last week of life. Donna published her own Manual on Music Theory for her hundreds of piano students. As an award-winning drama personality, she wrote and directed countless productions for the local community.

Donna's greatest love, outside of her family, was serving the local members of “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." Her love of her Savior was evident in the amount of time she spent studying the scriptures and gospel and serving those around her. To her last day she could be found with any number of theological books open on the dining room table all marked up and cross referenced. Having a near perfect photographic memory she could be counted on to point you in the right direction with any question regarding literature/composition/scriptures, the latest impossible crossword puzzle, or hand of bridge from the NY Times.

Donna was a real renaissance learner and had many hobbies that went way beyond the arts. She was a porcelain doll maker, orator, author, editor, family historian, genealogist, quilter, seamstress, Sunday school teacher, missionary, and score keeper for the many teams coached by her beloved husband, Ed. Anyone who knew her was touched by her willingness to share any of her life's gifts freely and openly.

Her final years were slowed down due to a loss of most of her sight and hearing, but this did not deter her positive approach to life. She could always be found at Ed's side, whether attending a family birthday, holiday party, graduation, baptism, wedding, or any other family gathering. She was always game for a road trip or a visit to one of her dear family's homes. A review of the items at her desk when she left home for the last time was 98% finished family history book, her scriptures, and pictures of her family, all overseen by her treasured statue of the “Christus". She will be missed by many and all whose lives were touched by her kind spirit.

Services: Monday, July 3, 2023, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 939 W. Chapala Dr., Tucson, AZ 85704, viewing at 9 am and Funeral Service at 10 am.