Donna Margaret (Williamson) Shafer

Obituary for Donna Williamson Shafer

August 26, 1936 – November 2, 2020

Donna Williamson Shafer passed away from this earth at the age of 84 into the arms of her loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 2, 2020.  Donna was born in Harrisburg, PA on August 26, 1936, to well-known Oboist and musician W. Dewey Williamson and Tillie Williamson.

Donna was a loving and devoted Air Force Wife to Msgt. Donald R. Shafer for 24 years, whose career ultimately blessed the family with orders to locate to Hurlburt Field in Fort Walton Beach, FL in 1966.  The family has always, and continues to enjoy the beauty and amenities of the surrounding beach communities where they still live out the passions of fishing, boating and anything to do with the emerald waters of the Gulf Coast.

Donna graduated from Lebanon Valley College & Conservatory in Annville, PA, where she trained as a concert pianist, achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree, Major in Music and Music Education, and Minor in English.  She went on later in life to obtain a Master’s Degree from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL in Education.

Donna was a School Teacher for 35 years in Okaloosa County, Fort Walton Beach, FL, and for 2 years in Prince George County, Maryland before moving to Florida.  During her teaching career in Fort Walton Beach, some of her many achievements included American Teacher of the Year for 2 years in a row (only 1% of teachers in the U.S. accomplish this); Member of Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society for over 10 years, an organization committed to promoting quality education with particular emphasis on publicly supported and universally available education by members of the education profession.

At Wright Elementary she was Academic Team Coach 1988 – ’89; Grade Level Chairman; designed the Wright Elementary logo; her Wright Elementary 6th Grade class won the Statue of Liberty Award.  In her 15 years at Pryor Middle School, she was invited to enter her “Alaskan Iditarod” Unit at Disney competition (A math program); she was Team Leader of the Navigators, 1989 (6th Grade); and then for the Buccaneers (7th Grade); Vice President of the PTO 1967 – ’68; Pryor Band Parent 1970 – ’73; Pryor Booster Club Parent 1974 – ’77; designed the Pryor Junior High Year Book cover 1976; along with fellow-teacher Sonnie Durrett, started the Okaloosa County Competition in Middle School.

Her love of music, education, and the church were evident early in life as a Member of chorus and band at John Harris High School, Harrisburg, PA, Chorus member at Lebanon Valley College & Conservatory; Organist or Sub Organist at Memorial Evangelical Lutheran Church of Harrisburg, PA 1955 – ’59, Andrews Air Force Base Chapels, Washington D.C. 1959 – ’65, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Fort Walton Beach 1967 – ’70.  She also served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church as Junior Choir Director 1967 – ’70, Acolyte Director 1969 – ’70, Choir member 1967 – ’70; she was a Member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach for over 30 years, where she was a Facilitator of the program for Divorced Children – Pieces to Peace, member of the Enrichment Sunday School Class, and an avid participant in the church’s Soup Kitchen for the homeless.  She also taught private piano lessons in her home for many years to many aspiring musicians.

Donna was active in the community throughout her life with organizations such as the Choctawhatchee High School Band Parents and Executive Board 1973 – 1976; volunteer for March of Dimes and Leukemia and Cancer charities; N.W. Florida Ballet Sponsor 1986 – ’89; Bible School Teacher 1957 – ’60.  She was proud to have worked as a Republican volunteer at the polls for many elections, and one year designed the cover for the Okaloosa County Chamber of Commerce Guide.

Donna loved Christmas and collecting Santa Clauses with a passion unparalleled by anyone we will ever know.  Nothing could capture the essence of Christmas more than her home on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day… she started celebrating and planning every August, transforming the home into the North Pole!

Donna leaves behind so many loving friends she loved so much, from the travel group who accompanied her and made sure she got to visit so many places in the world she dreamed of, to the famous Bunco group, and those close friends who supported her in day to day needs and friendship as the years settled in.  Despite the decades in Florida, she always missed “home”, Harrisburg, her cousins, and friends, who she loved deeply and spoke of constantly.

Donna is survived by loving daughters Candi Gray and Debra Magouirk, Son-in-Law Mark Magouirk, and 2 grandsons (loves of her life) Kyle Gray and Cody Gray, cousins Barbara Hammaker and June Magnelli, many, many precious friends we wish we could list here, and many of her beloved students she loved teaching.

We want her to know she made a difference in the lives of many and will be remembered for her love of life, family and friends, traveling, cooking, music, art and teaching.  She will be remembered for her unwavering faith and commitment to God.  She will be profoundly missed. 

We will gather to wish her a safe journey and celebrate her life at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161 Racetrack Road, Fort Walton Beach, FL, on Friday, December 11th, at 2:00 p.m. CST.  Protocol for Covid-19 will be observed. 

Flowers are welcome, or, a donation in memory of Donna may be made to Lebanon Valley College to benefit Scholarships and Financial Aid at https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/904/donations/new?donation_type=general, or mailed to the attention of Advancement Office, Lebanon Valley College, 101 North College Avenue, Annville, PA 17003-9989.

You may go online to offer condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.

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