JoAnne Renée Donaldson
Obituary
JoAnne Renée Gray Donaldson, age 66 died Monday, June 10, 2024, at Novant Health, Bolivia, NC with her husband by her side.
JoAnne was born in Detroit, MI on February 24, 1958, to Robert Leroy and Mary DeSchepper Gray.
JoAnne Graduated Edwin Denby High School in Detroit Michigan, in 1976. She had been engaged to Rick Donaldson, and an official announcement was made after Rick joined the Air Force. Over the next 44 years, they were stationed in Oklahoma, DC, Colorado and gained their love for travel, adventure, and avoiding the lazy path in life instead, climbing mountains, exploring valleys, camping with their children and endowing the children with the idea that “Life is an Adventure”.
Since JoAnne was an Adventurer, and loved travel, it was with that in mind she and her husband Rick retired in 2015 and began cruising the Sailing Vessel Adventure, named for JoAnne’s passion. She loved her ship, as she loved her husband, children and grandchildren. She had to finally give up traveling in 2022 after a stroke prevented her from climbing aboard boats and thus retired to a small beach home on Oak Island, a place she decided to rest while continuing her fight against cancer.
JoAnne loved helping people, and assisted with many fund raising campaigns both here on Oak Island, and also in Colorado as well. She was a giving, loving woman who had hugs for anyone, and wouldn’t hesitate to offer help, give suggestions and advice to others who needed pointers, or to simply listen to someone talk.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years: Ricky Dale Donaldson; sons: Jeremy Michael Donaldson, Patrick Dale Donaldson (Lana), Nicholas Robert Donaldson (Levi Braun); daughters: Kristy Marie Peña (Carlos), Rebecca Lee Presley (Daniel); and one brother: Paul Gray (Cathy).
In addition to her parents, JoAnne is preceded in death by a daughter: Amanda Jean Donaldson, and brother: John Joseph Gray.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Chapel of Brunswick Funeral Service 3479 Southport-Supply Road Bolivia, NC 28422.
Information
Send Condolences
Please use the form below to express your condolences, share your memories, or to pass along a personal message to the family. After it is reviewed by our staff for appropriateness, your message will be delivered to the family.
A Note About Privacy If you choose to enter the optional phone, mailing address, or email information, it will be passed along to the family along with your comments. We respect your privacy: this information will not be published, shared, sold or used for any other purpose.