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Donna Seymour Obituary
A passionate advocate for education, Donna graduated from Tufts University in Medford, MA, with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She dedicated her professional career to shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher. Donna began her teaching journey in Lexington, MA, from 1966 to 1970, and subsequently devoted nearly three decades to Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School in Rockville, MD, where she taught until her retirement in 1997. Her efforts to foster a love of learning extended beyond the classroom as she led an exchange program for international high school students, many of whom have now become lifelong friends.
Renowned for her intelligence and worldliness, Donna was admired for her curiosity and honesty. Her love for international travel enriched her appreciation of world cultures and cuisines, particularly those with a spicy flair. Summers spent in Central and South America contributed to her enthusiastic pursuit of the Spanish language. Donna's passion for knowledge and experience was perhaps only rivaled by her love for reading and seeking out life's simple pleasures, such as shopping at Aldi or Costco and savoring a perfectly-crafted Egg Cream.
Donna leaves behind a family who cherished her greatly: her sister, Patricia Schneider, and brother-in-law, George Schneider; her loving nephew, Andrew Schneider, with his wife, Shari Kessel Schneider; her adoring niece, Pamela Schneider Fliegelman, and her husband, Larry Fliegelman; as well as her great nieces, Madeline Schneider, Ella Schneider, Alexis Fliegelman, and Julia Fliegelman. Donna's legacy lives on in the hearts of these family members and the countless students and friends she inspired during her lifetime.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring to honor Donna's memory. The family requests that those wishing to express condolences consider making contributions in her name to St. Jude's or the American Lung Association.
Donna's story is one of education, travel, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. And per her wishes, this obituary has been triple-checked for grammar.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jennifer Ng
May 17, 2025
Donna (or Ms. Seymour as you are in my mind from 6th grade), the teacher who had the most impact on me, even as I went on to grad school and got a PhD. You were kind, witty, and smart. I still remember you came to visit us after we graduated to Earle B Wood; that is how much you cared about us. You took the time to individualize our learning. Rest in peace. You will always be in my thoughts.
Andrew Schneider
March 22, 2025
Donna's family has been touched with the outpouring of support and fond memories shared with us over the last couple weeks. It has meant so much to us to hear the impact she's had on friends, colleagues, people she met traveling, and, of course, the students whose lives she so positively impacted.
To honor her memory, we will be holding a celebration of life at 11.30AM on Sunday, March 30th. It will be at the Buena Vida/Green Pig Bistro in Arlington, VA (Clarendon).
This will be a great opportunity for friends, family, students, colleagues, etc. to gather and informally share memories of her. We will be serving lunch/brunch and saying a few nice words about Donna.
We hope many of Donna's friends, student, and former colleagues will attend. So, if this is of interest, please email me at [email protected] (her nephew) if you want more info or to let me know if you might attend . Also, importantly, feel free to spread the word with others who may be interested - we simply don´t know how to best reach many of the people she touched.
John Ikeda
March 19, 2025
Donna was our neighbor and friend for several years at Cardinal House. She was a warm, caring individual with a keen wit and a globetrotting soul. I loved hearing her stories about the many places she has travelled and talking politics with her. We will greatly miss her
Rachel Viglianti
March 18, 2025
She was the best! End of story, full stop. I loved my 4th grade year with her. Whether she drilled in "may I" instead of "can I..." I still remember her saying to a student, "I don't know, can you go to the bathroom?" or "a lot" as two words (iPhone has a thing or two to learn on that front) and yes the multiplication tables. Good old fashion memorization that she and Mrs. Shadoan made so much fun. The candies she'd always have at her desk as a treat, the essays she taught us to write. I learned so much from her and it never felt tedious or burdensome. It was fun and exciting and she was always loving! RIP Ms. Seymour, you were a treasure and will be sorely missed.
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Betsy Pollack
March 11, 2025
Ms. Seymour was a force of nature. I was in her class for only one year (her 2nd year teaching at Barnsley), but the lessons I learned stayed with me for a lifetime. We kept in touch sporadically over the years, so I saw that her commitment to and love for her students only grew. Think of how many students' lives she touched!!! What a gift to the community!
Mary (Dionisio) Brixius
March 10, 2025
Ms. Seymour was my favorite teacher - of all. The memories are imbedded forever of her multiplication competitions. She had incredible wit and style that pushed me to be the best I could be.
Her relationships with all her students obviously meant the world to her outside of the studies themselves - and her dedication to teaching (us) was a blessing . . . she was one of a kind. I will always remember her fantastic personality and how she walked into the room (or out) and had everyone's attention in such a marvelous way. A look, a hand gesture, a walk . . . she brought smiles to our faces, and we knew she cared.
Rest in peace, Ms. Seymour, and thank you for touching on my own life. I will always remember you with great fondness.
Mary (Dionisio) Brixius
Barnsley Elementary (1972-1975)
Debbie Milman Hyman
March 10, 2025
Ms. Seymour was my 4th grade teacher in 1984. I will always remember how she sent me a graduation card when I graduated from school. She was a great teacher. She will be missed.
Jennifer Milman McGinn
March 9, 2025
"Oh me oh my oh lack a day" will forever resonate in my 4th grade memories.
Bruce Dubinsky
March 9, 2025
"Speak now or forever hold your peace" Ms. Seymour used to say to me in 5th grade. I owe a lot to her especially my math skills. Life is funny because at the time I never appreciated how wonderful a teacher and how dedicated she was to teaching. It was many years later that her wisdom left a mark on my life. RIP Ms. Seymour. The world needs real teachers like you!!
Janice Solomon
March 8, 2025
How could I ever forget Ms. Seymour, one of my most memorable teachers ever? (That's Ms., not Mrs. or Miss!!!) I had her for math and language arts in the late 70s, and she looked exactly the same as her obituary photo. She drilled things into our heads with repetition, and it worked well! If a student asked, "Can I go to the bathroom?", she'd respond, "I don't know, can you?" (The proper question is MAY I....) She taught me multiplication tables and I still remember them! "Eight 8's fell on the floor. When they all stood up, there were 64!" She and Miss Drew (who became Mrs. Beauregard that year) were a team and taught us to sing "Can't Smile Without You" by Barry Manilow. I liked the math puzzles that she gave us. She made learning fun. Ms. Seymour was a great teacher. Best wishes to her family.
Brian Redmond
March 8, 2025
Donna - you shaped me as a student, instilled in me a love of reading, and honed my sense of humor with sarcasm, wit, and quick smile (but I never picked up spelling). I first had you as a teacher in the 4th grade, and you followed me to the 5th grade, and then (oh my God) I had you in the 6th grade as well! We have exchanged holiday cards and emails for the past 30+ years and it was always to hear about your travels.
A few Miss Seymour-isms: "loquacious", "i before e except after c", "pardon me?", "young man!", "lower lip quiver"
Memorable moments:
(1) You calling my parents when you found me reading "The Godfather" in the 6th grade - I pulled the book off my parents shelf.
(2) You making me sit by myself at the table up by your desk because I kept talking in class.
(3) You meeting my family in the United lounge at the Houston airport on one of your layovers.
(4) Our annual email exchanges each Christmas.
We will miss you greatly!!
Stephen Greiner
March 6, 2025
It's hard to believe that I'm now about twice the age that Miss Seymour was when she was my teacher at Barnsley. I'm a better person for having been taught by her and having known some of the folks commenting so thoughtfully here. We were all very blessed to have shared time together.
Barb Smakula
March 6, 2025
Donna was the fourth grade teacher of our three kids at Barnsley ES, and they were better for it. She was one of a kind; and although her students may not have appreciated her strictness at the time, they all remember her lessons. I loved that she was a strict grammarian. I kept in touch with her over the years; but unfortunately, that tapered off. It had been a while since we corresponded. RIP, Donna. You will be missed.
Barb Smakula
Bob Quillin
March 6, 2025
Miss Seymour was my favorite and most memorable teacher - she touched my life and I´m sure so many of her students and friends. It was her balance of love and caring along with always challenging us with weekly math and spelling quizzes - I´ll never forget those -as it pushed me as a student and helped fuel a lifelong love of learning. She will be missed and always remembered.
Harlen Castillo
March 5, 2025
My deepest condolences to Ms. Seymour´s family. I am so sorry for your loss. I was in Ms. shadoan´s class, but both teachers taught a lot of classes together. Ms. Seymour taught me the difference between "May I" and " Can I" so to this date, I still quote her when someone says "Can I?" I didn´t know any English when I came to their 4th grade class, but that wasn´t the case when I finished the school year! Ms. Seymour was one of my favorite teachers and I will never forget her. Rest in peace.
Mimi Arima
March 5, 2025
Condolences to the family. Ms. Seymore was probably my most memorable teacher at Barnsley. She put on a tough show, but I felt her care and love. Wish I could have told her how much I appreciate her. She'll have to get my message from heaven.
Mark Levengard
March 5, 2025
Miss Seymour was an amazing person and teacher. She remains one of my favorite teachers as she cared so much about me as a person. Years after I was no longer a student, she would see my mom and ask about how I was doing. She is and will be greatly missed.
Leslie Altschuler and family
March 4, 2025
family of Donna Seymour -
we wanted you to know that we made a contribution to St Jude´s in Donna´s memory, but we didn´t have an address to notify you So you are hereby notified with love, The Altschulers
Marianne
March 3, 2025
Donna was a very special friend to me for almost 50 years beginning as my 4th grade teacher. When I was a struggling teenager, she was the big sister that I didn´t have. I will always be grateful for her support, encouraging words and sometimes some tough love. She´s helped me through more life events than I can name and I will miss her very much. My thoughts and prayers are with her family... I truly share in your loss.
Marianne
March 3, 2025
leslie altschuler
March 2, 2025
I am so sorry to hear about Donna´s passing. My son was her 4th grade student in about 1986 at Barnsley. She became a family friend with whom I kept in contact once in a while even til about a year ago. She was an excellent, challenging teacher and worldly person - she had high expectations for her students but also loved them dearly. I am feeling very sad now to learn of her loss. My family´s best to her family. Leslie Altschuler
Jenna Frye
March 2, 2025
Ms. Seymour was my fourth grade teacher, or as she called it "the big time!" She was an iconic figure in my education, a legend really. She was a teacher people talked about, had impressions of, someone we literally memorized. So many of her sayings and lessons are permanently in my head. She made every student feel like we were her favorite-- giving us all special attention when we needed it most. Before I was in her class, my handwriting was terrible, but she noticed that I wasn't holding the paper steady when I wrote and helped me learn a better technique and I got better right away. This is how I remember her genius as an educator: she really noticed her students and intervened to get them on track. I've thought of her often over the years and she kept in touch with my mother so I know she had tabs on me. I will miss her a lot, which I know from her is two words.
Andrea Kempner-Wink
March 2, 2025
Ms. Seymour was myy teacher in fourth grade. She was tough, fair, and one of the teachers I have always considered the best I had - probably the elementary school teacher I would rank as the best. Condolences to her family and friends.
Mark Kitsoulis
March 2, 2025
Donna was my fifth grade math teacher. She was a great teacher. She was well respected even though many fifth graders towered over her. . She will be missed.
Donna Slingluff
March 2, 2025
Dear family and friends of Donna,
Bob and I send our sincere sympathy to each of you. Donna was a unique and special person. She taught several of our children at Barnsley and was known to be tough but fair and caring. We became friends when she introduced us to our exchange student, Guillermo Serrano from Spain who became part of our family. We have seen each other many times and kept in touch over the years. I was concerned when Donna did not answer my last email as she was always prompt. May she rest in peace! The Slingluff family send their condolences!
Margie Wasserman
March 1, 2025
Pat and family,
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Margie
Margot Durkin
March 1, 2025
Rest in peace , Donna. You live on in the hearts of all those you taught through the years. I will always hear your laughter.
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7211 U.S. 29 7211 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22046
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