Margaret N. Donahue

Margaret "Marty" Nowlin Donahue of Alexandria, VA passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 10, 2022. She was 93 years young. Marty was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was born in Hendersonville, NC and raised in Coral Gables, FL. Her father, William C. Nowlin, died when she was only 7 years old and her mother Georgia, an immigrant from Scotland, raised Marty and her younger sister Wilna while working full time for the University of Miami. Marty grew up and became a gifted young piano player and speedy typist, winning contests and acclaim for her skills. She attended the University of Miami, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1951. Marty always said that the happiest day of her life was when she married Lt. John J. "Jack" Donahue USMC from Philadelphia. She cheerfully supported her husband's Marine Corps career, moving frequently up and down the East Coast. She was especially proud of her drive across the country alone from Camp Pendleton back to Miami, FL, pregnant with her first child in 1953, while her husband was in combat in Korea. In 1970, she moved the family of six children to Kailua, HI so that her husband could visit his family on R&R while he was stationed in Vietnam. The time spent in Hawaii made for incredible memories, and the culture left a lasting impact on the family. Her children always felt that she made their lives an adventure! Marty especially enjoyed entertaining and going to embassy parties as part of her husband's assignments. She was active as a volunteer with Marine Wives Groups, the PTA, mental health centers, and hospital ministries. Once retired to Alexandria, she taught ESL in the Fairfax County Adult Education Program, was a product demonstrator at conventions, and was active in various clubs in the area including the Hayfield Garden and Needlework Clubs and the Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) at Ft. Belvoir. She carried a small notebook with her wherever she went and took copious notes about her life and activities (admittedly, illegible to anyone but her). In her later years, Marty's family of 8 grew as her children started their own families, and she took the name "Tutu" (Hawaiian for grandmother) with her 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren - some of them even got her red hair genes! She covered her fridge with photos of her family, and her house was always a warm place to visit, often filled with sweets for anyone who stopped by - most notably, Marty's famous shortbread cookies, a top secret family recipe. Marty was predeceased by her parents, her sister, her husband of over 60 years, Col. John J. Donahue (USMC, Ret.), her only son William J. Donahue, and her daughter-in-law Paula C. Donahue. She is survived and will be dearly missed by her five daughters: Peggy Stuppy, Kathleen (Bud) Baker, Anne Marie (Patrick) Seda, Mary (John) Kittle, and Christa (Thomas) Gibbs and their families which include 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Marty was a devout Catholic and she will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery after a Requiem Mass, at a future date. Vaya con Dios and Aloha, Mom! You will be loved and missed forever.

Tributes

Margaret N. Donahue

September 11, 1929 - December 10, 2022