Joan Marcia Donaldson's Obituary
JOAN MARCIA SEXTON DONALDSON was born on May 25, 1958 in Topeka, Kansas. Her father, Talmage Woodrow Sexton, being a member of the U. S. Air Force, was stationed at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka. Following her Dad’s discharge, the family returned to Bel Air, Maryland, the original home of both her parents.
In 1966 the family moved to La Plata, Maryland where they have lived since that time. Joan attended Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School where she selected the clarinet as her musical instrument of choice. She continued to Milton M. Somers Middle School where she played in the band and began to be the recipient of awards presented on the State level for her performance ability. Next came La Plata High School and the marching band. She genuinely loved that band and its director, Mr. Kundreskas. Marching band practice was work and fun at the same time.
From high school Joan attended the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland for two years majoring in music education and again played the clarinet. The highlight of those two years was traveling with the band to bowl games in which UMD participated. Realizing that music education was not her calling, she returned to La Plata and enrolled in the nursing program at the College of Southern Maryland. For many years she worked in the Labor and Delivery unit of what was then known as CIVISTA Hospital. She also spent time as a school nurse at T.C. Martin Elementary School, then a nurse with Hospice and Melwood when her health began to decline.
When Joan was 9 years old she began to take piano lessons which she continued until she was 16. She learned to play hymns and played for many church services. When she was 18, she was asked to direct the choir which she did for many years. Along with her love of gospel music, she enjoyed the 80’s rock music and country music. Her favorite groups/singers were Queen and Patsy Cline. She could often be heard singing along to these songs and enjoyed watching their previous concerts online. She also enjoyed singing along to songs with her children in their many car rides.
In 1988, Joan married MARK WAYNE DONALDSON and two children were born of the marriage, LAUREN MAE DONALDSON BONN (Chuck) and ZACHARY EDWARD DONALDSON. Along with her children, she is survived by her mother Doris Sally Sexton, her sister Janet Elaine Doyle (Ken), and nieces and nephews: Brendan Doyle, Hannah Doyle (Chris Gragan), Ashleigh Doyle Grigsby (Orbie), Benjamin Doyle and Jonathan Doyle as well as great nephews, Judah O. Grigsby and Colin W. Grigsby.
Joan was predeceased by her husband, MARK WAYNE DONALDSON and her father, TALMAGE WOODROW SEXTON.
Visitation
MAY 27. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)
First Baptist Church of La Plata
9070 Hawthorne Road
La Plata, MD 20646
Service
MAY 27. 11:00 AM (ET)
First Baptist Church of La Plata
9070 Hawthorne Road
La Plata, MD 20646
Burial
MAY 27. 12:00 PM (ET)
Trinity Memorial Gardens
3165 Mattawoman Beantown Rd.
Waldorf, MD 20601
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