It is with a heavy heart that I tell Chief Delphi of the passing of my mother and 9 year FIRST mentor, and sponsor Donna Comstock.
While attending Roboticon on Sunday my mother suffered an eruption of an undiagnosed brain anuerysm, and passed last night.
My mother was a spirited member of our community and anyone who has attended a Florida competition since 2007, or Champs in 2007, 2008, 2013 or 2014 may have memories of her. While on M.A.R.S. (1523) my mother was known for initiating the cheer, whistling very loudly and supplying and giving away our signature aliens. With last season being our first on The Children of The Swamp (179) my mother brought her cheering, whistling and a new giveaway in stuffed alligators, as well as supplying pits at the competitions with complimentary bags of candy.
I thank our community for the words of support I have already received and if anyone would like more information feel free to PM me.
FRC1730 would like to extend our condolences. We know how the loss of a mentor is. My husband passed last year and is sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the team.
I had a brief chance to meet your mom at Champs this past April. One thing that stuck with me was how proud she was of you - just beamed when she talked about you and your accomplishments.
Peace to you, your family and the teams in the coming days, weeks, and months.
I can’t even imagine…just…God. You have all the sympathies and prayers of Team 271, and a candle lit for her in the Grotto at Notre Dame. We wish nothing but the best to you, your family, and your team this season, may peace find you soon and often.
Your mother was phenomenal and a hard working person that every FIRST team strives to have on their team. I don’t remember how many times she has asked me if I had lunch at competitions and offered. She was the ultimate team mom. It was a ritual for me to talk to Donna at every single event I have attended followed by her asking me if we are pregnant yet. My last memory with her was three weeks ago when I saw her at Panther Prowl where she expressed how happy she was with the team and your accomplishments. She also said to me, “I better see your baby before I die.” Three weeks later, I am sitting here loss for words. I know she is looking down on us and I know her blessings are upon us.
Our team will miss her dearly and it will always be emotional to walk into a Florida event and not seeing her. Our deepest condolences from the bottom of our heart. If you need anything or if you need to talk, you have my number.
I am very sorry to learn about the passing of your mom. As you know, the FIRST family is strong and a loss by one is felt by all. We’re all here for you during this time.
Aw geez, James. I’m so sorry to hear of this.
I got to talk to her a bit at IRI this year. She was really enthusiastic about being at the event and obviously absolutely loved FIRST. Such a nice lady. I’m sorry she’s gone.
My prayers and blessing for you and your family James.
On behalf of the Duluth East Daredevils, we send our prayers and thoughts to you and your family. We honor her hard work that she did and her sacrifice of her own time to help your robotics team as a mentor for 9 years.
James,
I was just stunned to hear this, and am sorry for your loss. SPAM, Swamp and MARS - we compete hard with each other - but we’re just as equally close. On behalf of all of us on Team 180, peace to you and your family.
James,
How beautiful that your mom loved FIRST as much as you do.
The Kamen family sends their condolences and our good energy to help you, your family, and your teams get through this time. FIRST is as Justin said, a family…and a crazy strong one. We’ll see you through this. Feel free to reach out if you need someone to lean on. I know how hard it is to lose a parent, and how much it helped to hear from FIRSTers all around the world.
