Fall_Winter_2017_Newsletter

8 Life without Limits We lost a dear and loyal friend, dedicated humanitarian, benevolent philanthropist, and a treasured member of the extended UCP family when Life Board Member Doris Brunner passed away on Friday, October 21, 2016. What’s more, the greater Central Pennsylvania disability community has lost a great mind, a remarkable soul, and a tireless and fearless advocate. “ Doris L. Hyman Brunner, 90, of Swatara Township, died Friday, October 21, 2016 in MS Hershey Medical Center. She was a retired Chemist for the Commonwealth of PA, and a graduate of John Harris High School and Lebanon Valley College. Doris was a member of the 29th Street United Methodist Church and a former member of Stevens Memorial United Methodist Church. She was a lifetime member of the Board of Directors for United Cerebral Palsy, who recently honored her on her 90th birthday. She and her husband enjoyed their annual visits to Austria for the past 35 years. She was also a member of the Monday Club, Harrisburg and the American Chemical Society. Doris was the daughter of the late William and Gladys Willis Hyman and is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, William J. Brunner; two nephews, Stephen Shuey of Mechanicsburg and James Brunner of New York; two nieces, Jodi Brunner of Boynton Beach, FL and Gail Shuey and her husband, Eugene Kostelac, Jr. and their daughter, Laura of Mechanicsburg.” What may not be apparent from reading the above obituary as published on PennLive on October 22, 2016 is that Doris was a woman ahead of her time. Long before the rise of S.T.E.M., Doris was making her mark. She graduated from college with a degree in chemistry at a time when less than 5% of American women were graduating from college at all. She went on to have a fascinating career as a chemist, and was deeply involved in radiation testing following the Three Mile Island incident. In fact, she was interviewed at the time on Good Morning America and was pictured on the front page of The New York Times as well. Doris was UCP’s longest-serving volunteer, amassing over 31 years as a friend and ambassador, in such roles as Board and Foundation member, Founding Cornerstone Society member, and Programs and Services Committee member. She continued to support UCP to the end, serving as Chair of the UCP Foundation Grant Allocation Panel since its inception in 2011. Celebration of an Extraordinary Life DORIS BRUNNER 1926-2016 Doris smiling face, “glass half full” attitude, and easy-going manner endeared her to all who were graced by her presence. Fiercely loyal, Doris refused to give up her membership in her church even after it closed its doors and she had made her way onto another place of worship. As we who are left behind mourn our loss, we can find solace in the notion that Doris is now generously sharing the treasures that awaited her in heaven, just as she did on earth. “ On the evening of March 28, 1979 Doris was planning on being at her birthday celebration. Her plans were put on hold when she received a call asking that she remain at work on stand-by, as her department head had heard something had happened at Three Mile Island. As it turned out, something really did happen at Three Mile Island. As a chemist working for the PA Department of Environ- mental Resources, in the Bureau of Radiation Protection, Doris did much of the chemical analysis to determine the extent of radiological contamination from the releases of material from Three Mile Island. Over the next month, Doris worked long hours analyzing various samples and providing critical information to state and federal scientists and regulators. Her work helped determine the extent of contamination and what needed to be done. Oh yes, Doris was able to celebrate her birthday, although somewhat belatedly. For all of us who have known and loved Doris, her dedication and commitment in both watching over the health and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth and supporting individuals with disabilities and their families, has set a high standard for all of us to aspire. ” ~ Jeffrey W. Cooper, President and CEO (Ret.), UCP Central PA Doris, shown here with retired UCP President Jeff Cooper, was the recipient of the American Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Award in 2006