Donna Marie Arnold was born December 1, 1949, in Loma Linda, California, to Russell B. and Betty Marie Arnold. In 1952, the family expanded with the birth of Linda Joanne. After Russell completed his medical degree, the family relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland, where two more sisters, Pam and Rhonda, were added. The family attended Takoma Park Seventh-day Adventist church.
Donna attended John Nevins Andrews School for grades 1-8 and graduated with honors from Takoma Academy in 1968. Four years later, she graduated with honors from Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. In 1982, Donna completed a Master of Science in Nursing degree from The Catholic University of America, with an emphasis on Middle Management in Nursing.
Donna worked at Washington Adventist Hospital for her entire career, much of it as a nurse manager in the intensive care and telemetry units and as a clinical specialist. After more than 45 years of service, Donna retired in 2017. Donna was a well-respected professional nurse, leader, and educator. The many nurses whom she mentored also viewed her as empathetic and encouraging.
Donna was an active member of Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church. She loved children and worked for many years in the Beginners One Sabbath School, where she developed many friendships with the parents of the little ones as well as continuing to keep in touch with the children as they grew up in the church. She became an Elder and visited homebound members to bring them communion, among other duties. She assisted Rick Blondo in training the Spencerville Church Bible Achievement team. She loved studying the Bible and led out in a weekly Bible study group, later becoming a regular member and attender in the Tuesday night Bible study group. She was a faithful member of one of the H.I.S. Teams, often stationed at the rear door of the sanctuary, welcoming guests and members alike as they arrived for worship.
Donna loved spending time with family, especially her nieces and nephews and eventually grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She also enjoyed playing golf, reading, and traveling. In the summer of 2023, she and her best friend Carolyn Leonard drove across the country to attend the wedding of Donna’s nephew Geoff Van Noty in Redlands, California. By the end of their 7-week trip, Donna could say she had visited 49 of the 50 states during her lifetime. The only one she hadn’t visited was Alaska.
Donna fell asleep in Jesus on June 18, 2024, due to complications following a car accident on June 5. She is survived by three sisters: Linda Joanne McNeill (Don), Pamela Jean Van Noty, and Rhonda Kay Sharman (Daryl); seven nieces and nephews; nine great-nieces and great-nephews; and her close friend Carolyn Elaine Leonard.
In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts in Donna’s memory may be directed to the Tuition Assistance Fund for Spencerville Adventist Academy c/o Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church, 16325 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20905.