Donna Maxwell Obituary

Donna Louise Maxwell, 77, passed away July 29, 2014 following a lengthy battle with leukemia at Penrose Hospital under the loving care of her family and Pikes Peak Hospice. She was born on September 7, 1936, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Homer O. Best and Gracie E. (Bailey) Best. Donna is survived by her husband James, sons Michael (Sharon) (NC) and Stephen (Kristin), daughter Susan (Richie, friend), grandsons Dillon Maxwell and Tanner Claude, brother Randall Best (TX), sister Nancy Waters (TX), and other nieces, nephews, and relatives.

Her younger sister Marjorie preceded her in death.

Donna's life could be best defined by music, her faith in God, and her genuine love for others. Her father was a CPA and musician who played in local dance bands in Tulsa and she remembers playing simple songs on the piano when she was only 5 years old. The first hymn she sang was "I Love To Tell The Story" and remained a favorite all her life. During her high school years, she played the organ for her church and the piano for school groups and activities.

Her parents realized that she had a musical gift and helped her continue to develop it by studying with the best teachers available. She knew too that her talent was truly a gift from God and tried to use it by teaching others to play. Her entire teaching career of nearly 45 years was spent in Colorado Springs devoted to many talented and gifted students, some who now have professional teaching careers at college or university level. She spent several summers teaching with Young Keyboard Artists Association Music Camp programs at Colorado University and Kansas University. Her students were a great joy for her and she felt privileged to have been a mentor and great influence to them all.

Donna attended Phillips University, Oklahoma A&M College (OSU now) and later earned her ARCM piano degree in Performance and Pedagogy from the Royal College of Music in London. She became a member of the Music Teachers National Association and was the first teacher in Colorado to receive the coveted Master Teacher certification. As an adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers, she was selected in 1982 to judge over 1000 piano students for their performance and suggestions for teaching improvements during a ten-week period in Hawaii. She was asked later to return as the guest artist and lecturer at the Hawaii State Piano Teachers Convention. In 1990 she was selected for a program at the Gnessin Academy of Music in Moscow to observe and participate in Russian music teaching methods.

She was equally involved with her church's music and arts department. At First United Methodist Church in 1999 Donna was the recipient of the Music Ministry Award. She recently received an award for her 30 years of participation in the chancel choir and Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions of service over the years to the music and arts department. She was accompanist for one of the children's choirs until failing health caused her to resign.

Using genealogical research her father had done, Donna became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, belonging to the Zebulon Pike Chapter. At the time of her death, she was 2nd Vice Regent responsible for program planning. Applying her involvement of music into as many of her activities as possible, she played all of the music used during the past two DAR state conventions. Also she was able to apply her genealogy experience to assist some of the newer members to validate their ancestry with a patriot of the revolution.

In addition to Donna's involvement with her career as a professional musician, she excelled in the family's home life as a wife, mother, and grandmother. She delighted in combining her varied activities with supporting her husband's military career which took them to Germany and England and giving them opportunities to travel and explore most of Europe. She was equally at her best whether attending a formal military function with him, planning and presenting a DAR tea for 60 members and guests, being hostess for 40 guests for one of their many Christmas curry dinners, or quietly entertaining her family at Sunday dinner. She seemed to enjoy life most when making others happy.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Matthew Logsdon and his supporting staff, Penrose Hospital, the Center at Centennial and Pikes Peak Hospice for their loving and considerate care during Donna's long and difficult illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on September 6, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church, 420 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO. There will be a reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First United Methodist Church, department of your choice.

"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." -Psalm 91:4