Donna Nelson

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of Donna Fern Nelson, 86, who died on February 18, 2024. Donna is preceded in death by her husband Benny, son Michael Tully, parents, Harry and Mary Leona Ridgeway, sisters Audrey Turner, Jacqueline Ouillette, and Hazel Webb, and brothers Melvin, Thomas, Harry, and Edmund Ridgeway.

Donna is survived by daughters Laurie Buonaccorsi and husband William, Melissa Tackett and husband Nicholas, and son Neil Nelson. She was a devoted grandmother and is survived by her beloved grandchildren, Tiffany Houser and husband Derek Brown, Marissa McNall and husband Richard McNall, Lindsay MacDonald and husband Daniel MacDonald, Desirae Nelson and fiancé Tyler Hippen, Antonio Johnson, Nicholas Buonaccorsi, Maya Johnson, Jacob Buonaccorsi, Colson Tackett, Falynn Tackett, and Amanda Tully.

In addition, Donna is survived by great grandchildren Darcy and Ronan McNall, Madeline and Harrison MacDonald, and Brody and Ayden Easterwood. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Donna will be remembered for the great love she held for her family; especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom she adored. Donna had a thirst for knowledge that she never stopped trying to quench and will be remembered always as the walking encyclopedia to whom all questions were directed. “Ask Donna (or mom, or grandmom, or granny)” we would say when confronted with a question or tried to recall a memory because she always knew the answer and remembered details and events that no one else could. Donna was also very skilled in the kitchen, something she learned from her dear mother. Every year during the holidays, our family looked forward to her delicious homemade sugar cookies, pies, and her mother’s special raisin cake recipe. Donna had a great passion for reading, loved playing cards with her siblings, challenging herself with difficult crossword puzzles, playing board games with her kids and grandkids (sometimes she even let them win), and attending to her beloved animals; especially her dogs Quinn and Topey.

Despite her age, she easily transitioned to electronic games. Not only was she a wiz on her iPad but always surprised the kids by knowing all the secret moves and beating them at Mario Brothers. She always beat the odds, whether it was surviving breast cancer or a tough level on candy crush. Donna was strong, lighthearted, quick-witted, always had a snappy comeback, and kept her sense of humor until the end. She will be dearly missed and remain in our hearts forever.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 26, at 11:30 am, Crownsville Veteran’s Cemetery, where Donna will be interred with her loving husband Benny.

In memory of Donna and in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/AACSPCA or BARCS https://www.barcs.org/ BARCS - Donate

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