Donna Lee Crowley
Donna Lee Crowley
Donna Lee Crowley of Bluemont, Virginia, graduated this life from her home here to her eternal home in Heaven on Dec. 7, 2017. She was the daughter of the late Robert J. Gath and Betty (Brumfield) McGraw.
She grew up in Suitland, Maryland, with her sisters, Debbie (Billy) Lineberry and Dana (Jim) McGee. In later years, she was blessed with brother Tom Mcgraw and sister Carroll Wilson. She attended Suitland High and earned her teaching degree at Shepherd College. Her heart’s desire was to be a stewardess and she persevered. She flew for Eastern, but due to the strike, there started her 12-year teaching career.
She taught multiple grades in Maryland and for DOE in Germany and then Virginia, mostly in Aldie and Hillsboro. She was “firm but fair,” and was much-loved by her students and parents. Her last assignment came after gaining her master’s degree, and she was the assistant principal at Sully Middle School.
She loved to write and clean, which led to avocations of calligraphy, then a handy-girl service. She added her artistic talents with her “Jesus Cards” under the business name of His Heart Art. Her last profession was in constituent service for Congressman Frank Wolf, mostly in the Winchester office. She served well and loved the work and the people of the Valley for 25 years.
She was married to her husband, Mark Crowley, for 44 years. Together they were blessed to love and encourage their nephews, Jacob and Joey Lineberry and Tim Mcgraw; nieces, Megan and Emily Mcgraw and Colleen Crowley; and great-niece, Eden Rhema Showalter. Though not a mother, she has a mother’s heart and was Aunt Donna unofficially to Adrian Figgins, Michael Wuertz and the five Bowen children, Phinehas, Caleb, Elijah, Morgan, Beth and Noah. She was the proud godmother to Karis and Hosanna Roberts and always included their brothers, Lucas, Liam and Judah.
During her three-year adventure with cancer, she was encouraged by the support and prayers from the Church of the Holy Spirit family. During her treatment, mostly at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City, she often lifted up the other patients and staff and even those at her “second home” at the Midtown Marriott Manhattan.
Her beauty and smile attracted people… and her encouragement sealed the deal. She leaves a legacy of love.
Visitation was on Wednesday, Dec. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m., and her celebration funeral service from 1 until 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home with graveside burial at Union Cemetery in Leesburg. Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Circle SE Leesburg, VA 20175, is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers gifts may be made to Planet Hope Sailing Ministry Po Box 550 Deale, MD 20751 or anyplace else that is important to you in her honor. Online condolences maybe expressed at www.loudounfunerachapel.com.