Donna Crenshaw McDermott, age 76, of Granite Falls, North Carolina, peacefully passed away in her home on April 26, 2024 with her husband and daughters by her side. She was born on April 10, 1948 in Williamsburg, Virginia, to the late James Devon Crenshaw and Eunice Ethel Crenshaw.
Donna will be remembered fondly for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love for her family and friends. Her legacy of compassion and generosity will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She is survived by her devoted husband, Jeff McDermott, and her two daughters, Erin Colonna and Kipp McDermott. Erin and her husband Mike Colonna reside in Waxhaw, N.C., while Kipp resides in Weaverville, N.C. Donna, a beacon of imagination and creativity, has left an indelible mark on the world with her boundless artsyness. She possessed a rare gift for envisioning beauty and bringing it to life without constraints. Her daughters fondly recall her knack for fashioning clothes from scratch, ignoring patterns in favor of her vivid imagination. Whether it was sewing fabric to create unique outfits or crafting breathtaking formal wear like the stunning evening gown for Erin’s college formal Ring Dance, Donna’s talents were limitless. Her creativity extended beyond the realm of fashion to the culinary arts, where she effortlessly baked and decorated both Erin’s and Kipp’s seven-layer wedding cakes, masterpieces that left guests in awe, unaware it wasn’t the work of a seasoned professional.
Donna was a proud grandmother to five grandchildren, Michael, Aiden, and James Colonna, and Dublin and Bodhi Hankins. Her grandchildren knew her as Nona. She was so proud of them and their many academic and athletic achievements and shared those with friends and relatives. She attended their baseball, softball, basketball and volleyball games whenever she was able. She is also survived by her sisters, Kay Burkholder of Harrisonburg, Va., and Carol Smith of Rutherfordton, N.C., along with numerous extended family members, including four brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, eight nieces, and five nephews.
Her exceptional leadership and versatility were evident from an early age and her influence in women’s issues was ahead of its time. In her high school class of over 400, she served as the first female president of the student government, the editor of the yearbook, and a spirited cheerleader. Her senior-year classmates recognized her outstanding qualities by voting her as Best All Around.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., in just three years and continued her education with graduate coursework at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. Later, Donna received an Administrative Management Certificate from George Washington University Center for Professional Development (now College of Professional Studies) in Washington, D.C. Her academic journey culminated in the achievement of a Master’s in Business Administration from the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Donna possessed a deep and abiding love for animals and was always engaged in community efforts to help those who needed a hand up. She was dedicated to rescue dogs and devoted tireless efforts to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. Her compassion knew no bounds as she worked tirelessly to improve the lives of countless furry companions, providing them with love, care, and a second chance at happiness. Donna’s commitment to animal welfare touched the hearts of many and leaves behind a lasting legacy of kindness and advocacy.
Donna found solace and community in her faith at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Hickory, N.C., where the Rev. Karla Woggon serves as Rector. Her dedication to her church and her loved ones left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
Donna bravely battled amyloidosis for two decades, a disease without a known cause or cure. Despite the challenges, Donna faced her diagnosis with courage and determination. In pursuit of slowing the progression of the disease, she underwent a bone marrow transplant at Virginia Commonwealth University Health and endured 20 years of monthly chemotherapy. Despite her valiant efforts, the damage inflicted on her heart and kidneys by the amyloids proved insurmountable. Donna’s journey serves as a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
In her final act of generosity, Donna donated her body to the Virginia State Anatomical Program in Richmond, contributing to the ongoing study of this devastating illness. Her selfless gesture embodies her enduring spirit of compassion and her commitment to finding answers for future generations.
A memorial service to honor the life of Donna Crenshaw McDermott, age 76, of Granite Falls, will be scheduled at a time to be arranged at the Bass-Smith Granite Falls Funeral Service Chapel. Family and friends are invited to join together in remembrance and celebration of Donna’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Donna’s name to the Amyloidosis Research Consortium. Contributions can be made online at https://donate.arci.org/give/582000/#!/donation/checkout.
Though Donna’s physical presence may be gone, her legacy of courage, generosity, and perseverance will continue to inspire all who knew her. May she rest in peace, her memory forever cherished by all who knew her and loved her.