Age 84, Mt. Jackson, Va.
Donna Hedrick Wolfe, 84, of Mt. Jackson, passed away on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Sentara RMH Medical Center, in Harrisonburg.
Mrs. Wolfe was born December 4, 1940, in Harrisonburg, VA and was one of three daughters of the late James O. and Roxie Whetzel Hedrick. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, James D. Wolfe who passed away in 2019; loving grandson, Paul C. Taylor who passed away in 2018, as well as one sister.
Donna attended Harrisonburg High School and then went on to graduate from Blue Ridge Community College in 1974 with a degree in mental health. In 1978 she graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a bachelors in science. She also attended VCU in Richmond, Virginia to pursue a Masters Degree in mental health and social work.
She was employed at two Elkton pharmacies, Western State Mental Hospital in Staunton and Wolfe’s Supermarket in Elkton. For over 30 years, she and Jim owned and operated grocery stores in Shenandoah, New Market and Mt. Jackson. Then she co-owned It’s a Small World and Harrison House Art Gallery and Frame Shop, both in Mt. Jackson.
She was a member of Mt. Jackson United Methodist Church. While her children were in school, she was an active member of the PTA at multiple schools in Page and Shenandoah counties. In Shenandoah, she was a brownie and girl scout leader for many years. Donna played an instrumental role in the building of the community center and tennis courts in Shenandoah. In Mt. Jackson she was an active member of the Garden Club. She taught aerobics for several community organizations such as Mt. Jackson Rescue Squad, Mt. Jackson Community Center and schools. All proceeds of those classes were donated to the organization in which the classes were held. She held the role of President of Mt. Jackson Chamber of Commerce for multiple terms. Donna was a big influencer for the Mt. Jackson Apple Harvest Festivals, Mt. Transylvania at Halloween and multiple events for all occasions. She spent a large portion of her time, trying to draw visitors into the Mt. Jackson area. She was always looking for ways to encourage people into Mt. Jackson to patronize small business. She and others were instrumental in the founding of Mt. Jackson Open Door Food Pantry for which she volunteered many hours over the years. She and a close friend began the first Relay for Life in Shenandoah County. Donna co-founded Chamber Chatter which was a newsletter containing Mt. Jackson local news and history that was mailed out to the Mt. Jackson Community for many years. She volunteered hundreds of hours to serving her local community and surrounding areas.
Over the span of 50 years, she and Jim received countless awards including the Mt. Jackson Chamber of Commerce President’s Award in 1993. In 1984, Donna received the Gordon D. Bowman Award for citizen of the year in Mt. Jackson. Also in 1993, Donna received the Mt. Jackson Chamber of Commerce Service award. She served as a volunteer for the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival for over 25 years for which she and Jim received an award for their accomplishments and time spent.
She loved entertaining, cooking and baking. She hosted everything from birthday parties, to pool parties, to sleigh riding parties, employee parties, and family gatherings. Donna loved to travel both domestic and abroad. Pastimes include, reading, knitting, sewing and was a master seamstress, flower arranging, decorating, playing piano and camping. She enjoyed attending the JMU Dinner Theatre and was an avid North Carolina Duke basketball fan and avid football fan. Sports of interest included tennis, swimming, basketball, softball, golf, riding her bike and walking. Above all, she cherished time with her family and found enjoyment in sitting on her porch watching her children and grandchildren. She could always be found supporting her family members in any activity or sport they were participating in.
She is survived by two daughters, Tammy Taylor Hall and her husband, Rob and Mitzi Wolfe and her life partner, Jim Richel; grandson, Chris Hall and wife, Katie; five great-grandchildren, Grace and James Taylor, Dresden, Berlin, and Avi Hall; granddaughter-in-law, Melissa Taylor; sister, Mobley Padilla of Clemson, South Carolina and numerous nephews.
A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, January 5, 2025, at The Yellow Barn at Shenandoah Caverns. Everyone is welcome to attend.
In keeping with Donna’s wishes, a private burial will be held at a later date, at Duck Run Natural Cemetery in Penn Laird, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mt. Jackson Open Door Food Pantry, c/o Jack Zerkel, P.O. Box 292, Mt. Jackson, Virginia 22842.
Arrangements are being handled by the Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, Va.
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