Donna Kathryn Tierney

Donna Kathryn Tierney died unexpectedly of natural causes, while visiting friends in Boise, Idaho. Born 1 November 1948, Donna was the daughter of a school teacher mother, and Navy Senior Chief father while he was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was also the proud daughter of the Ross and Falbo clans of West Virginia. First completing a bachelor’s program from Dominion University in 1970, she went on to finish a master’s program in business from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI.

Living around the world as the daughter and then spouse of Navy seamen – she ultimately lived in Japan, Italy, California, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Arizona, Tennessee and Florida in addition to several communities in Virginia – her career required her to be resourceful picking up Civil Service opportunities at each new post. Ultimately specializing in logistics planning, program and information management and process engineering, she became at one point a Department Head on the Executive staff of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. and even turned down an offer to be on the White House Communications Staff to keep her family together. By the time she retired in 2012, Donna was a Navy Senior Subject Matter Experts in Statistical Process Control and organizational management, leaving a huge following of respected senior military leaders.

She married her college boy-friend in 1970, and they spent 52 happy years together. She had one son. In addition to traveling the world and managing a successful career, Donna was a passionate traveler and explorer. She was curious about food, culture, language, people, animals and notably plants. Her love for animals included several Terriers and multiple horses. Over the past 20 years, she regularly rode and trained horses up to this summer. An active member of Master Gardeners in San Diego and Virginia, she successfully managed the Williamsburg annual plant sale in 2021 and 2022 and was selected to be the James City County Williamsburg Master Gardener President starting in January 2023. Her home gardens were also quite spectacular with fruit trees and a greenhouse full of succulents and hydroponics.

Noted for her quick smile and soft voice, Donna always had a caring, responsible personality. She worked hard at trying to do things right and set a good example, encouraging others in whatever organization she was in, toward higher standards. A natural leader, great communicator, teacher and mentor, she lit up a room when she entered.

She is preceded by her mother Libby and father Don. Surviving is husband, Pat; her son, Ryan; her sister, Jacque; and a host of close family and friends who will miss her dearly.

A memorial service will be held for her at The Settlement at Powhatan Creek Club House on Sunday, 11th of September at 1:00pm, followed by a reception at her home. Friends and relatives are invited.

Flowers can be sent to Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Planes Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Online condolences for the family may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a contribution to James City County Williamsburg Master Gardeners Association, at PO Box 1951, Williamsburg, VA 23187 (www.facebook.com/JCCWMasterGardeners).