Donice Wooster

Mary Donice Wooster died peacefully on November 12 at the age of 73, in her home in Upper Arlington. Born in Dayton on June 26, 1948 to Nelson and Donna Harper, she lived in Cleveland, Chicago, and Columbus in her growing years. The Harpers were a musical family, and Donice earned a BA in music at Ohio State University, where her favorite courses were music theory and history. She returned to OSU mid-career to complete her Masters of Social Work. Donice spent 23 years at the Preschool of First Community Church: first as a teacher, and later as Director of Early Childhood Ministry. She touched the lives of hundreds of parents and children through her mentorship of parenting groups and her research and writing on child development. In retirement, she provided consultation to individuals in collaboration with the Apple Farm Community Jungian Retreat Center. Donice is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Cathy Harper and Tom Harper, and her husband of twenty-six years, Burdette Green. She is survived by her son Matthew (Betsy) Wooster, of Shaker Heights, OH and their sons James Rogers (Ann MacNamara) and Sam Rogers (Emily Chumbler); her son David Wooster (Audrey Larrimer) of Athens, OH and their children Abe and Phoebe; her son James (Francie) Wooster of Columbus, OH and their daughter Annie; and her brother Nelson Harper (Nolan Long) of Beavercreek Township, OH. She was a loving mother, nana, sister, and friend to people across generations. She loved music and art, OSU women's basketball, knitting, and walks in nature preserves. She was a board member of the Jung Association of Central Ohio, and a Deacon of First Congregational Church, Columbus. A service of memory will be held on Sunday, December 5 at 2:30 pm at First Congregational Church, 444 East Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215 (livestream at www.first-church.org/memorialservices.aspx), with an opportunity to greet the family 1:00-2:00 pm. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, December 6 from 5-8 pm at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Rd., 43221. An interment service at First Community Church columbarium will be private. Donations in Donice's memory may be made to the Donice Wooster Early Childhood Fund at the First Community Foundation, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus 43212 or to Apple Farm Community Inc., 12291 Hoffman Rd., Three Rivers, MI, 49093. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.