A memorial service will be held next month for longtime community member Donna Mae Stemmer, who will also be remembered in special displays at Philadelphia AIDS Thrift.
Stemmer, 82, was a retired Army Lt. Colonel, lawyer and longtime member of the City of Brotherly Love Softball League. She died of a heart attack last month.
Family and friends are invited to remember Stemmer at 1 p.m. Aug. 8 at St. Luke and The Epiphany Church, 330 S. 13th St. A reception at Knock will follow.
Philly AIDS Thrift co-founder Tom Brennan said Stemmer was a ubiquitous presence in the LGBT community.
“It was like every time you went to something, the first question was, ‘Will Donna Mae be there?’ and the second was, ‘What will she be wearing?’” he said. “I’ve been in Philly since 1982 and I think she was at every gay event I ever went to here. And many, many since.”
Brennan said the store worked with Stemmer’s friends and brother to sort through the “overwhelming” amount of items in her Pennsauken home earlier this month. Over three days, staff collected clothing, periodicals, dolls, tchotchkes and more to populate its flagship store on Fifth Street and its Gayborhood outpost, PAT @ Giovanni’s Room, both of which donate proceeds to HIV/AIDS causes.
“We knew from the start that we wanted to do special Donna Mae sections at both our stores,” he said. “The vast bulk of it is Donna’s amazing collection of fashions from over the years. We’ll post a bio of Donna explaining the significance of all the dresses, gowns and costumes that are for sale in the section.”
Dozens of Stemmer’s photos will be on display, including those of her wearing some of the items for sale.
Brennan said the store will also work with the staff at William Way LGBT Community Center to offer materials for the center’s archives.
Stemmer, a Korean War veteran, served in the military for 30 years, receiving 11 decorations. She earned her undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Temple University. She was an active member of the LGBT community, once serving as grand marshal of Philadelphia Pride and recently receiving the Steve Lehman Community Service Award from CBLSL.
Stemmer is survived by her brother, nephew and niece.