Donna M Sawyer, age 70, passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her children on December 21, 2017.  She was born in Brooklyn, NY in February 1947.  She was the oldest daughter born to Allen and Eleanor (Morrissey) Beggs who predeceased her.  Her beloved older brother, Jerome also preceded her in death.  She lived in the New York and New Jersey area until she married in 1971 and moved to Chesapeake, VA where her two daughters were born.  The family then moved to Jacksonville in 1977, where her son was born.  Donna was a paraprofessional with many schools in the area including San Pablo Elementary, Fletcher Senior High School, Alden Road Exceptional Center, ESY at Neptune Beach Elementary and most recently, Sabal Palm Elementary where she worked with special needs children.

Family was everything to Donna and she will be sorely missed by them all.  She was a wonderful mother to Kathy (Brian) Meyer, Becky (Ken) Uibel and Matt (Stephanie) Sawyer.  She was an exceptional grandmother to her grandchildren, Katie Uibel, Amanda and Brandon Meyer and Sophia Sawyer.  Donna's surviving siblings include Raymond and Gregory Beggs, Janet Hill and Eleanor Beggs.

Donna leaves a huge hole in the hearts of her close family and so many friends.  Donna enjoyed camping, fishing and gardening and had a love for the hummingbirds that frequented her yard.  She had a distinctive, boisterous laugh that made us all "laugh out loud".  Most of all she had a caring heart for everyone she met which can never be replaced.

Per Donna's wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service.  The family would like to thank Community Hospice for their kindness and compassion through our most difficult time.  Donations can be made to Community Hospice of Jacksonville or the American Lung Association in memory of Donna Sawyer.