On my sister’s passing.

As many of you know, Dan’s sister, Donna Timm, passed away in October after a brief illness. It took us all by surprise.

Donna Faye Blanks was born on November 3, 1951, in Lynchburg, VA, to Alvin and Lucille Blanks. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Greensboro, NC, where Dad got a job as a machinist at Western Electric. That’s where I was born, November 14, 1955, making me the only person in my family not born in Lynchburg.

Donna was a pretty baby, a trend that continued throughout her life as she blossomed into a beautiful young woman. She was naturally comfortable in social situations and very popular in school.

But she did not rely on her looks to get through academia. Donna studied for hours on end to ace every course she ever took. She was also physically graceful, learning to ice skate, water ski, and perform on the high school cheerleading team.

Donna had a long and accomplished career. She was one of the first in our family to earn a college degree (Liberal Arts) and the very first to get a Master’s Degree (Library Science). She worked as a teacher, a paralegal, and in various government positions. She was a professor at Louisiana State University and the head of the College of Medicine library. Donna learned French and Italian and lived in Italy for several years.

Our condolences to her husband, Daniel E. Banks; step-sons, Peter Banks, Timothy Banks, Dennis Banks and his wife Michelle, Daniel Patrick Banks; step-daughter, Ann Prock and her husband Nicholas.

We will all miss her.