Donna Ayers Snelson

Donna Ayers Snelson, passionate nursing educator and deep lover of her family and friends, died Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, at her daughter's home in Brookline, Mass. She was 72.

Her adoring family includes her husband of 49½ years, Alan, Mountain Top; her daughters, Ashleigh Snelson Sullivan, Brookline, Mass.; and Lyndsy Ayers Snelson, Annapolis, Md.; her grandchildren, Rhett Ayers Sullivan and Lake Ayers Sullivan; and her son-in-law, John J. Sullivan.

Donna is predeceased by her father, Chester Arthur Ayers; her mother, Angeline "Dolly" Fonzo Ayers; and her two brothers, Lewis "Buddy" Bachman; and Robert Alan Ayers.

Donna had a wonderful ride through life. Her professional impact is rivaled only by her personal legacy of adventurousness, caring ways and vibrant energy. She touched so many who miss her terribly.

Donna was a relentless achiever and built an impressive 35-year career as a nursing educator. She graduated from GAR Memorial High School in 1967. Her early interest in nursing was rooted in her deep desire to help and impact others. She pursued a nursing degree from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Nursing School, graduating in 1970. Donna obtained her license as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Sept. 10, 1970. She began her nursing career as an ICU nurse at the Wyoming Valley Hospital.

Donna believed teaching would enable her to amplify her reach and pursued a degree in nursing education from Wilkes College, graduating cum laude in 1972. She began her career as a nursing educator at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, and then joined College Misericordia (now Misericordia University). She spent 35 years at Misericordia, including as chair of the department, building a sought-after nursing program and educating and mentoring hundreds of nurses and colleagues along the way.

Donna's education, personality, love and interest in her teaching career resulted in numerous well-deserved awards and recognitions, though she would never brag. She was first inducted into the honor society of The Department of Nursing at College Misericordia in 1981. The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing awarded Donna for her Excellence in Nursing Education in 1992; and her Excellence in Nursing Leadership in 1998. The United States Air Force recognized her with The Educator Award in 1992. The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association awarded Donna "The Nursing Education Award" in 2011 and in Nov. 2012 issued a Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Valuable Contribution to the PSNA Board of Directors. She earned the nationally-recognized DAISY Award for Exceptional Nursing Faculty, for her exceptional impact on her students in May of 2013.

Donna was a role model for her girls in pursuing career and family ambitions with success and grace. She graduated with a master's in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania just five months after giving birth to her first daughter, Ashleigh. She was relentlessly committed to her education and began her doctoral pursuit at the Teachers College at Columbia University in 1990. She ultimately earned her Ph.D. in Adult Education from Pennsylvania State University in 2010. Her family lovingly called her, "Where there is a will there's a way Donna."

Perhaps Donna's most tangible legacy is The Center for Nursing History, which she founded and established on the campus of Misericordia University in 2005. Donna was passionate about raising awareness of the rich history of nursing in the Wyoming Valley and highlighting its impact on the nursing field. She spent years fundraising, collecting and archiving nursing memorabilia and personal narratives from nurses and nursing schools in the Wyoming Valley. The Center enriched nursing education not only at Misericordia but the other schools of nursing that existed throughout Luzerne County. On June 3, 2005, she received a Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership and Vision for her efforts in the establishment of her beloved Center for Nursing History.

Donna's life outside of work was as rich and intrepid. She just loved being and was very good at being a wife, a mom, "Mimi," a friend, a confidant, a neighbor and a genuinely kind, optimistic person. She loved traveling throughout the country and the world and particularly loved England. She enjoyed building a beautiful, warm home and a perfect garden. She shared her love of gardening as a member of the Back Mountain Bloomers garden club. Her love of learning brought her to take up watercolor painting late in life. Not only did she thoroughly enjoy it, but she was also pretty good at it. Donna was remarkably stylish, loved shopping and always was dressed to impress. The teachers at her grandchildren's school lovingly called her "Mimi Fashion."

She was crazy about her daughters and the adoration was mutual. She spent weeks at a time visiting them in Boston or Annapolis. She became well-known and liked in both neighborhoods. She spent as much time as possible with her grandchildren, Rhett and Lake, who loved being spoiled by their "Mimi." Her son-in-law, John, became the son she never had.

Donna's friendships were deeply cherished and many. Those from high school, nursing school, the neighborhood, coworkers and colleagues, students, fellow garden lovers, ski club members all saw and felt her magnetic, warm, smiling and energetic personality.

So many are deeply saddened by her passing. Donna was and will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew her. She would want us to carry through the sadness, to be positive, celebrate and appreciate life and smile.

A celebration of Donna's life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at Misericordia University. Details and updates will be posted on Donna's Facebook profile.

Any donations in Donna's memory can be made to Donna Ayers Snelson Memorial Scholarship, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612.