Donna Ann Doscher

Donna Ann Talbert Doscher, 76, cherished wife of John H. Doscher, passed gently from this life late Thursday evening, January 24, 2013 at her Summerville residence. Her final moments were lovingly attended by most of her large family. A visitation will be held at James A. Dyal Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock PM. Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 2 o’clock PM at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church located at 206 Central Avenue, Summerville. A reception in St. Luke’s Fellowship Hall will follow after the service. Donna was born on December 18, 1936 in Honolulu, Hawaii in a hospital later damaged by the infamous Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. She was the daughter of the late Floyd Gilchrist Talbert and the late Mary Magdelene Bunnell Talbert. A graduate of Chicora High School, Donna attended Erskine College and earned her degree from the University of South Carolina in 1958. On July 27, 1957 Donna married her college sweetheart, John, who proposed marriage on their third date. Perhaps they knew even then that an extraordinary journey through life was about to unfold but no one could then imagine the heights-and depths-their voyage would reveal. Their life together was special as it thrived 56 years on this Earth through all the ordinary challenges life brings but also endured the birth and growth of three children, home purchases and relocations, business ventures, multiple hurricanes, children’s weddings, “harrowing” light aircraft flights and the arrivals of grandchildren-and great grandchildren. Soon after college, Donna became an Air Force Officer’s wife and mother of their children. She shouldered the exceptional challenges our nation’s military wives have always faced in supporting their husbands’ unique calling to defend freedom. When he was assigned to Puerto Rico for hazardous duty flying into hurricanes, they moved the growing household to the island so Donna could be with and support her husband. When John later deployed to Southeast Asia, Donna ran the household and raised the kids-hoping every day he would return from the Vietnam War safely to her side. She followed him through many training assignments across the United States; knowing the entire time that Charleston was their home. When the chance came to leave the active duty forces to accept an Air Force Reserve position, they decided together to take the opportunity for family stability to stay in one place-Charleston. As the children grew, Donna rejoiced in their successes and despaired in their defeats-always providing the guidance and teachings mothers everywhere do every day. Eventually she joined the workforce; taking on even more challenges by becoming a middle school librarian. When their children married, Donna accepted and loved their spouses as equal family members-granting them full access to her boundless heart. Soon her many grandchildren found unconditional love and unwavering support in their “Grammie”. These grandchildren were the very, very special apples in her eye and she took great pride in each of them. Donna passionately loved books and reading anytime but especially in her librarian career alongside her science-teaching husband at Alston Middle School in Summerville. She shared her joy of reading with everyone who knew her but she also loved to play cards, paint, computer games, internet surfing, play games at gatherings of family or her dearly-held friends, and work on crafts. Somehow she found time to participate in several clubs and societies: Charleston Genealogical Society, Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, Charleston Rifle Club and many many bridge clubs. Throughout her life, Donna clung to those she loved-no one more than her best friend and closest confidant through times good and bad-her husband, John. She will be missed terribly by him and her large family…but we rejoice in the memories built and the love she shared with each of us. We are all far better people for having the rare privilege and honor of knowing and loving Donna Ann Talbert Doscher. Donna is survived by her husband, John: their son Charlie H. Doscher (Kiki); daughter Deborah L. Doscher (and former son-in-law Steve McCormack); daughter Susan D. McCoy (Brian): 11 grandchildren; Garrett McCoy (Marielle); Nathan McCoy (Amanda); Joshua McCoy (Sarah); Rachel McCoy; Camille McCoy; Mitchell McCoy; Olivia Doscher; Hayden Doscher; Grace Doscher; Dylan McCormack; Maggie McCormack: 9 great-grandchildren; Lauren, Caitlin, Austin, Reagan, Walker, Hailey, Ethan, Finnegan and Declan McCoy. She is pre-deceased by her brother Richard Talbert. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the charity of one’s choice or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Ste. 304, Chicago, IL 60611. A memorial message may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jamesadyal.com. ARRANGEMENTS BY JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 S. MAIN STREET, SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 (843) 873-4040.

Donna Ann Doscher

December 18, 1936 - January 24, 2013