Donna was my first niece she was the sweetest baby. As Donna grew older she always watched out for me. Donna took care of everyone never putting herself first. God bless you Donna I know you are in heaven.

I miss you❤️

Rev 21:4

'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”.

I worked with Donna for many years at EPA.  She was one of a kind!  We had some great times together and also worked hard which paid off for both of us.  We also had some awesome holiday parties - Halloween was always fun and she was the ringleader for all our “ghoulish” dishes.  We kept in touch after she went to Forest Service.  Even after her ALS diagnosis she kept her sense of humor and made us laugh every time we visited her and Larry.   She was a true friend and one I will always remember.  I felt lucky to call her my friend.  

Sharon Payne.  

Donna’s family and loved ones,

I’m so sorry for your loss. You have been in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

I worked with Donna as a consultant at the Forest Service, and was constantly in awe of her. She was so smart - always focused on the big picture, but also able to dive into the weeds when needed. She was assertive when she felt strongly, but she was also kind and interested in people’s lives outside work. She had an amazing ability to make people feel special, and I feel lucky to have felt that. Most of all, I remember how much she loved her family. I remember the pictures around her office, the stories she would share of family vacations, and how she lit up whenever talking about her kids and grandkids. I learned so much from Donna and will think of her fondly forever.

To Larry,  Beth and the rest of Donna's family,

I worked with Donna at the EPA in 1980 and 1985.  She was always an inspiration for me and we had a lot in common since I too was from a family of 12.  I am so sorry for your loss and please know that she was a great person to me and others and I miss her although I have not seen her in years.  My condolences. 

The angels have come and taken my wonderful sister to Paradise.

I love and admire Donna so much, I wish I’d told her how very important she was to me.

Donna was only 11 months older than me and she always tried to keep me on the straight and narrow but I didn’t always listen. Ever since we were little if we had a problem, it didn’t matter what the problem was, together we figured out how to solve it (FYI: I said “together” but the wisdom was from Donna). Donna’s continuing acts of caring and kindness have held me and so many others up so many times. Donna had a great relationship with my dad and he loved to take us all, but especially Donna, on walks all over DC when she was young. I really think he realized how wise she was. Donna also would sit and watch “The Redskins” with Dad which won his heart.

Dad and mom both worked hard and they always depended so much on Donna (I designated Donna as “the good daughter”) but she was also always wise, even as a little tyke, and she never let mom and dad, or anyone, down. She was the oldest of the ten of us and all of us always looked up to her.

Donna always loved going to our grandparents in Riverdale, to visit Grandmom and Grandad and our wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins. It was always a celebration or a party at Grandads house, it was one of Donna’s favorite things to do. Donna was also close to Umma and Poppy, my dads parents. Poppy was so proud and delighted with anything Donna did. She captured his heart from the first moments she arrived here from heaven.

I have so many great memories. We have been blessed with a wonderful family, thank you Lord.

Donna has always been a great example to me. Whenever I needed her she was always right there. We did so many crazy things through the years. Actually I did most of the crazy things but Donna always had my back. When we moved from DC to NC it was definitely a culture shock and we held on to each other in those crazy times. I know I often drove my dear sister crazy because I tended to be carefree and did what I wanted but Donna was a “rule follower” and was always pleading with me to make better choices. I loved her so much and I still do. When Donna was a senior in high school she announced she was going to college. College was expensive but she had a little money she had saved and she received a scholarship from East Carolina. Everyone was a little concerned about how our family would get by without her, she was a big help to mom and dad and she was like the little ones second mom. I was worried because one of our chores was ironing (which I disliked) and Unbeknownst to mom Donna had always done a lot of my ironing, and saved me in so many other ways growing up. Education was important to Donna but she did it. Donna worked hard her whole life, she was the best wife and mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and great auntie, and friend anybody could ever want.

Donna ‘s love of learning was always third, her love for God was her first priority and though she went through difficult times she never lost her faith. Her family was her second priority. Larry and her children and grandchildren were her heart. Donna always had a wonderful home, she had dinner on the table every night, she worked hard and always worked more than full-time, often at home she worked late at night , she went to school full-time and has many degrees (which most people don’t know about) because Donna never bragged about her accomplishments. One accomplishment that always stood out to me was when The Carmical Family was awarded The AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year Award when they were in Europe, which recognizes a exceptional Army family whose dedicated volunteer service improves the well being of the military and the military families, as well as the local community. Donna never told anyone about receiving that award. When I found out about the award I asked her why she didn’t tell people she said “ we only did what we all should do for others, it really wasn’t a big deal”. That was Donna.

Donna also worked daily along with her family to spread awareness and raise funds for Pediatric Cancer. She reached out to everyone - including our family in Greece, her friends in Europe and all over the states, she did the same with ALS. She never once complained or blamed anyone she just tried to bring awareness. She worked so hard for so many people and programs. She received many accolades and many awards but she kept it to her self, she would hear about a need and dig her feet in and accomplish all she could.

I remember when Covid first began Donna saw the Kindness and compassion she demonstrated in her family in action. Donna’s daughter Beth and Beth’s daughter Devan found out the residents of a local nursing home were not receiving visitors so Beth and Devan and several of Devan’s friends made goodie bags and took them to the nursing home. Donna’s children and grandchildren all have a spirit of compassion that they got from their Nana. Her grandchildren all adore her and rightly so as she had an unconditional love for each of them. Donna was their biggest cheerleader. Donna was always there, and so proud, when the kids were in a program, a game, etc., and she was always there passing on her wisdom and her faith.

When I moved out of NC Donna would visit me often and I her. I introduced her to her wonderful husband, Larry, She loved him so. One of the last things she wrote to me after she got sick was “we can find good in everything - God showed me what a truly wonderful man I married when I found out I had ALS. Each day he cares for me, feeds me, encourages me, tells me he loves me, calls me his ‘Pretty Lady’, I have had time to sit back and come to treasure this man and all he has brought into my life”

Donna and I both married wonderful career soldiers and when we were separated due to our husbands jobs, the Army took us to different parts of the world, it was so hard but we wrote letters, prayed for each other and counted the days until we would see each other again.

When we all retired we lived pretty close to one another and I depended on Donna’s wisdom often. I could go on forever about my wonderful sister and the many wonderful and compassionate things she did but I would be writing forever.

Donna had such a big heart, and I will miss her every day of my life but one thing she left to help is her children and grandchildren. I am not sure if they realize how like “mom, Nana” they are but I see her in each of them and I hear her when they talk. She will always be there with/for them, in a memory, a song, a breeze, when they reach out to help someone, or a God Wink.

My goal is to try to be more like her - she is my hero.

I will probably never stop being sad for not being able to call her, or send her a note, or jump in the car to go see her, to hold her hand, to see her smile. She will always be my best friend, my amazing, compassionate, loving sister but I will not give death more than it has a right to. It will not take my memories, the love I have for her or my faith that was so much a part of Donna . I will keep my eyes on Jesus and make good choices and forgive those that have been unkind. I will try to make lots of “ Holy Moments” that will make Donna proud.

My sister Kathy just sent me a note that blessed me.

“I know that our Lord has Donna wrapped in His perfect Love.”

I know that one day we will be together again in heaven. In the Lord, we always have hope!

I love you my dear Donna, I always have, always will, I will miss you forever. 

Dear Family of Donna,  It is with deep regret that I will be unable to be at the memorial on Thursday.  I am stranded in Halifax, Nova Scotia with all of my planned flights being so delayed as to prevent me from getting to the service.  Please know that I so much wanted to be part of the services and be able to express my condolences to Larry and family.  Donna was one of the most significant people in my professional career.  She was a dear friend and colleague.   

Sincerely, Hank Kashdan

There are no words for the legacy Donna has left on her family and friends. Donna made a difference in so many lives and will be truly missed. The family will be in my  prayers and for the love of her life, her husband Larry.

Mimi Marshall