It is with great sadness that we announce that Donna Nangle, a wonderful colleague and friend to us here at NARIC, passed away yesterday, December 21, 2011 in Petersburg, Virginia, where she had lived since retiring from the Department in 2010.
Ms. Nangle began her Federal career in 1978 and spent many of those years in OSERS. She came to work at NIDRR in the 1990s. It was through her that we met the grantees every year. We could always count on her to answer the questions and concerns of our patrons as they prepared their own grant applications. Donna leaves, to quote one grantee, “a great legacy for NIDRR to feel so good about—always so pleasant and professional, just a delightful ambassador to the thousands of people who called to NIDRR—and a staunch advocate for individuals with disabilities.”
Donna is survived by her husband, Paul, and her mother, Lois. Funeral arrangements have yet finalized, but it is expected that there will be a service in Alexandria in the New Year. Donna was a dear friend and colleague and she will be missed.
Memorial services and remembrance information is listed in Donna’s obituary.
I’m so sorry to hear about Donna. Donna was my very first contact at NIDRR when I applied for grant funding. What a gracious, kind lady! I always looked forward to calling Donna over the years. She truly was an ambassador for NIDRR. All of us at the University of Washington send our condolences to her family and her long-time co-workers.
I was very sad to learn of Donna’s passing. While I never met her face-to-face, in all of my telephone conversations with her regarding NIDRR grant issues and questions, I always enjoyed my interactions with her. She had that special knack of balancing the administrative aspects of the job without forgetting the human aspects. When there were times where I would make some error on a NIDRR report or related documentation task, Donna always had a kind way about her in helping sort out the problem. I also liked the fact that she took the time to try to get to know you. As she and I shared some similar medical experiences together, I particularly appreciated her empathy and compassion. I did not know her well but what I do know is that she made a positive difference in this world! My thoughts go out to her family and her NIDRR family as well.
Jim Herbert
Penn State University
We will miss Donna very much. She made numerous contributions to NIDRR and was a key facilitator for applicants and grantees. I remember her leadership in helping us make a smooth transition to electronic grants submissions. She was always available to teach details of the application process to co-workers and members of the public. Her stories of participating in Civil War re-enactments were fascinating. She lived across from our local Wakefield High School – which both she and my sons attended – for many years. Her career is an outstanding example of self-development over many years devoted to personal excellence, public service, and dedication to quality outcomes.
Richard Melia
Director, Division of Research Sciences, NIDRR (Retired)
I will personally miss Donna. Not only was Donna a true professional but she was also always a warm, supportive, human being in the way she conducted her profession– a quality often lacking in these times of “hurry up, get it done” and automated answers to any questions. She created relationships across cyberspace and telephone wires and we enjoyed many a good story and a laugh in the exercise of our tasks. My heartfelt condolences to her family and all her colleagues.
Marianne Farkas
Director, Training, Dissemination and Technical Assistance
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Boston University
I met Donna when she and I both participated in Living History programs involving our common interest in our American Civil War. She was very knowledgable in both military and civilian history from the mid-19th century. I alwalys enjoyed her company. We did business together in that she hired my small home improvement firm to enhance her home in Arlington in which she and her mother, Lois, resided. In turn she referred some of her collegues to me for addtional business. Thank you. The thing I will miss most is her geniune smile and her sincerely hugs og friendship. She hugged with confidence and love. You just felt good about yourself when you were in Donna’s company. God bless you Donna!
Steve Klitsch
Living Historian
28th Mass. Company B, Volunteer Infantry
I was a high school friend of Donna’s and have very fond memories of spending time with her and her family when growing up in Arlington. Prays are with all the family and friends.
Donna was always a joy from High School working on the homecoming float to reinacting civil war life at the battlefield. What a wonderful soul and she will be missed.
The sadness we feel of Donna’s passing, is balanced with the positive difference she made in this world!
I met Donna through our shared interest in history, especially the American Civil War. Her enthusiasm and cheerful attitude was infectious. We will miss her.