Obituary of Susan Nancy Donar

Dr. Susan Nancy Mitchell Donar died on Monday, October 2, 2017. Sue was born on May 4, 1953 in Augusta, ME and was the daughter of Jeannette Rose Cyr Sylvester and Gates W. W. Mitchell, Sr. However, she was very grateful and fortunate to have been raised by both Jeannette and Richard N. Sylvester, Sr. Sue attended schools in Augusta, Vassalboro, and South China through high school and earned a B.S. degree in Business Education from the University of Maine at Machias, a Masters in Business Administration from Thomas College, and a Doctorates Degree in Higher Education from NOVA Southeastern University. She began her professional career as a secondary educator and worked in various positions throughout Maine as an Organizational and Curriculum Developer. Sue loved learning, being a student, and most especially an educator. She taught graduate Education classes for a number of institutions both in the classroom and online. Working with other professional educators was an immense source of pride, energy, and satisfaction for Sue. Throughout her career she served on numerous boards and professional organizations – generally in a leadership role. Although always busy with professional responsibilities, Sue was committed to being an active participant in both of her sons’ school activities from President of Home and School, School Board Chair, Little League Board, and Sports Boosters. Volunteering and “giving back” is certainly a mindset she modeled for both sons and watching them do the same with their families made her extremely proud of her sons. Sue was a loyal friend, who cherished her friendships and actively worked at staying in touch with them. Her childhood friend, Cheryl Belden, was someone she could always count on. Although they didn’t always get together as often as they would have liked, they had many adventures together and it always seemed like no time had passed since their last visit. Maryann Lecompte became a special college friend after college and one she remained in contact with both professionally and personally. Maryann was immensely supportive of Sue throughout her cancer adventure and often brought her meals as well as a great deal of comfort because she would just check in. Sue is survived by her most important achievements in life, her two sons. Her first born son is Mitchell Adrien Donar who married very wisely to Tarsha and who blessed her with three preciously perfect grandchildren Darby, Adrien, and Brooklyn. Her second born son is Matthew John Donar, who also chose wisely with Jenn and her children Madison and Jay. Both daughters-in-law are very much like Sue, which made her immensely happy and gave her great material to tease her sons! Sue was a selfless, devoted and very involved mother and Grammie whom her children and grandchildren adored. It brought her great joy to watch her sons create their own families and instill traditions’ as she had worked so hard to do with them. Sue was an immeasurable source of strength, leadership, comfort, understanding and unconditional love, not just to her family but those she held dear to her heart. Sue is also survived by her sister, Jane Condon and her husband Dick and their five children, spouses and children Angela and Scott Lyon son Cody; April and Eric Nored children Kylie, Nick, Hanna and Miles; Dickie and Tanya Condon son Jonathan; Roxanne and Alan Lodewegen and their many pets; and Roberta Leonard and her children Kristen, Kyle, and Dylan. Sue is also survived by her brother Keith Sylvester and his wife Angel. She was especially close to her brother’s daughters Dayna and Lauren, who Sue was most honored to serve as Lauren’s Godmother. Sue’ s brother Bill Mitchell, wife Cammie and children Melodie and Michael lived in Florida so they would get together as often as possible. She was predeceased by her Mother and biological father. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Dempsey Center, 29 Lowell Street, Lewiston, which was extremely vital to Sue during her 10 years of striving through Stage IV Kidney Cancer or to Erskine Academy Athletics, South China, Maine. In lieu of a service, a Celebration of Life will be held on October 22 at Erskine Academy, starting at 11am.