1932
Diana
2018
Diana Sims Gayer
April 16, 1932 — December 23, 2018
Diana Sims Gayer, 86, passed away surrounded by her family December 23, 2018.
The wife of John Gayer, she was born April 16, 1932 in Chicago, IL to Corinne and Clarence Sims. After graduating from Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio, she pursued her violin studies at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and then transferred to the University of Michigan where she was Concert Mistress and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Music Performance. She was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Alpha Iota honorary fraternity. She was tapped as a James B. Angell Scholar for Academic excellence and was the school's nominee for the Woodrow Wilson graduate fellowship.
After moving to Akron, she played with the Akron Symphony for 45 years and then served on the Board of Trustees for the Symphony after retiring. She also played in the Canton and Youngstown Symphonies. She served as a child care specialist with the Summit County Welfare Department. She was honored with the Hower House award for volunteer services with the Akron Symphony.
Preceded in death by her parents and son, Scott MacDonald; she is survived by her children, Bruce (Cynthia) MacDonald, Laurie (Jack) Madden and David MacDonald; grandchildren, Ryan MacDonald, Kevin (Heather) MacDonald, Stephanie (Joseph) Berger and Daniel (Lexi) Madden; great-grandchildren, Joseph Berger and Mackenzie MacDonald; sister, Suzanne Forrest.
The family wish to thank the staff of both Mulberry Gardens and Harbor Light Hospice for their loving compassion and care.
A private family memorial service has taken place. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Akron Symphony Orchestra, 92 N Main St, Akron, OH 44308. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)
The wife of John Gayer, she was born April 16, 1932 in Chicago, IL to Corinne and Clarence Sims. After graduating from Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio, she pursued her violin studies at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and then transferred to the University of Michigan where she was Concert Mistress and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Music Performance. She was initiated into Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Alpha Iota honorary fraternity. She was tapped as a James B. Angell Scholar for Academic excellence and was the school's nominee for the Woodrow Wilson graduate fellowship.
After moving to Akron, she played with the Akron Symphony for 45 years and then served on the Board of Trustees for the Symphony after retiring. She also played in the Canton and Youngstown Symphonies. She served as a child care specialist with the Summit County Welfare Department. She was honored with the Hower House award for volunteer services with the Akron Symphony.
Preceded in death by her parents and son, Scott MacDonald; she is survived by her children, Bruce (Cynthia) MacDonald, Laurie (Jack) Madden and David MacDonald; grandchildren, Ryan MacDonald, Kevin (Heather) MacDonald, Stephanie (Joseph) Berger and Daniel (Lexi) Madden; great-grandchildren, Joseph Berger and Mackenzie MacDonald; sister, Suzanne Forrest.
The family wish to thank the staff of both Mulberry Gardens and Harbor Light Hospice for their loving compassion and care.
A private family memorial service has taken place. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Akron Symphony Orchestra, 92 N Main St, Akron, OH 44308. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Diana Sims Gayer, please visit our flower store.
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