Myers, Iona J. Fackler, 1914-1996

• Iona Jean Fackler
• Iona Fackler
• Iona Myers
• Iona Fackler Myers

Iona Jean was born on September 18, 1914 to Howard A. (1875-1966) and Dolina MacKay Fackler (1874-1948). Iona graduated from the New Jersey State Teachers College and State Normal School at Trenton in 1937. She received her Master’s from the Teachers College at Columbia University in 1941. During World War II, she volunteered for service on June 29th, 1943. She entered as an Ensign and was later promoted to Lieutenant and finally Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Navy, where she met Ensign (later Lieutenant) William Creed Myers (1916-2009). Iona and Creed married in December 1945 in the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church. They had four children: Howard Carl, Dolina Jean, Hellen “Holly” Holland, and Frances Fackler.

Soon after graduating from the State Teachers College, Iona joined the Alumni Association and began her long board membership starting in May of 1938. She gained a paid position as Executive Secretary with the Association in June of 1939. In 1941, she lived on campus in Ely House and later, Allen House as Resident Advisor. In 1943, she asked for leave of absence for the duration of the war and six months thereafter to join the U.S. Naval Reserve, WAVES. In 1946, she formally resigned as Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association.

She was the 14th Life Member of the Alumni Association, having received the title in 1955. That year, she returned to the board after leaving for 9 years to raise her children. Through the years, Iona served on every committee the board has had through 1989, but the most important to her were the Investment Committee, then Annual Giving, and finally, the Alumni Scholars. She never served as an officer on the board because chose to serve as an officer in other local groups which took more of her time. In total, she served the Alumni Association for 41 years.

New Jersey--Lawrenceville
New Jersey--Ewing
New Jersey--Trenton