Donna Jean Wiseman McDonell's Obituary
Donna Jean Wiseman McDonell, 89, passed away on September 8, 2021 at Westminster Canterbury of Richmond, Virginia. Donna was born on September 30, 1931 in Carrington, ND to Merritt and Marietta Wiseman. She attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND and received her BA in Secretarial Science and Education from Huron College, SD.
Donna married Jim McDonell in 1953 and remained married for 56 years until Jim’s death in 2010. During this time they lived together in College Station, TX, Rapid City, SD, North Forestville, MD, and State College, PA before settling in Kettering in Largo, MD where they lived for 51 years.
Donna worked as a substitute teacher in the Prince Georges County School system and did temporary secretarial work. She was a volunteer with the Women’s League of Voters. She was a tutor and trainer for the Literacy Council of Prince Georges County where she was on the staff for many years. She tutored about ten adults in English literacy including working with the ESOL program. Donna was a Silver Life Master in duplicate bridge and a certified Director for the American Contract Bridge League. She enjoyed the challenge of the game and the company of her fellow bridge players. She was a member of the District Heights Presbyterian Church which merged with the Unity Presbyterian Church in Temple Hills, MD where she was the Clerk of Session and a choir member. Church and faith were of great importance to Donna.
After Jim’s retirement, he and Donna became world travelers exploring Alaska, Russia, Germany, Iceland, Kenya, South Africa, and several Central America countries.
In 2018, Donna relocated to the assisted living section of the continuing care retirement community of Westminster Canterbury of Richmond.
In Donna’s later years, she was able to visit with her brother, Merritt Jr., in California one last time before his death in 2018.
She is survived by her sons, David McDonell (Barbara) of Gainesville, VA; Jeffrey McDonell of Washburn, IL; Vince McDonell (Carol) of Berwyn Heights, MD, and her grandchildren, Lindsay (Matt) Sarver, Greg (Jen) McDonell, Shannon McDonell, Brian McDonell, Alisha (Issac) Issacson, and Keisha Reynders. Granddaughter, Christina McDonell’s death preceded Donna’s. Donna is also survived by 12 great grandchildren.
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