Donna White Wade

Donna W. Wade, friends called her Cookie, after an illness transcended to Heaven, on September 23, 2023. She was an artist foremost, an animal lover, master gardener, chef, writer, painter, sculptor, and ordained minister, performing marriages, and listed in “Who’s Who” under natural fabric weaving and abstract natural fiber woven art. Donna sold her paintings at Miller Main Gallery, Market Square Gallery, and K Street Gallery, Washington DC. She made natural fiber baskets that were also sold in galleries in Washington, DC. Many collectors collected her paintings and Fiber Art Sculptures. Donna White Wade was born on December 12, 1930, in the Swedish Hospital, Seattle Washington. Donna was married at 19 to John Tracy, an Engineer, and Army Veteran. They had two sons, both surviving. She is survived by son Bob and his wife Alice in Boise Idaho, son Barry and his wife Meredith in Key West Florida grandchildren John, Chris, Lauren, Kirkland, and Taylor, and 3 (soon to be 4) great-grandchildren Aria, Liam, and Mia. Sometime after John and Donna divorced, she remarried to John W. Wade. John Wade was Dean of the VA Tech School of Architecture, which brought Donna to Blacksburg where she lived the remainder of her life. Donna met Richard Aldine Aliff in 1980, who was asked to give support to Donna by John Wade her second husband and Richard’s mentor. His letters of recommendation, with others opened many opportunities. Richard, Donna’s longtime friend, companion, and common law significant other was able to help an artist live all her dreams. Donna was a princess and loved enjoying the artist’s life. Donna did everything from the heart. Donna made playlists on iTunes of her favorite songs to hear as she worked in her studio. Donna loved all the seasons, but her favorite celebration was Fall Begins. Donna said you will feel me on your face in the morning sun, see me in all the bulbs. A favorite story, from her best friend’s daughter, Mary Margaret. Donna visited them and they took a road trip to The Peabody Hotel where the ducks have the center room fountain and their elevator to their penthouse suite. Donna was watching the ducks, having lunch, when it was announced that the ducks were now going to their penthouse, the whistle sounded the ducks into the elevator, when Donna tried to get inside the bellhop asked Donna, “Why are you getting in the elevator as this is the penthouse for the ducks?” Donna said, "I wanted to see the floor." Donna loved to laugh. She took photos and loved telling stories about her photography. Donna was able to travel the world, writing seven cookbooks, have painting exhibits in Washington, DC, and take wonderful photos which were all organized for slide shows. Donna loved life and challenges and she would challenge you. Donna and Richard were able to plant hundreds of Holland bulbs all around Smithfield Plantation. Donna was always organized and made journals, sketch notebooks, diaries, and project notebooks that always kept you challenged. Donna raised Siberian Huskies but the last two dogs were Newfoundlands named Bear and Bear-Bear who lived to be nineteen years old. Donna was a member of the garden club, faculty wives club, canoe group, and heirloom bulb farm board for gardens, having written fiber art articles in “ART World.” Donna was friends with many artists and loved the paintings of her friends Dick Cupp and Samuel Pratt. Donna loved planting flowers in five different gardens. Donna was always happy and loved sharing her life and enjoyed making each day one filled with sunshine on your face and bulbs that needed planting. Celebrate a happy life by saying thank you Donna when you see a beautiful butterfly as a butterfly bush was planted for Donna and fall begins. Donna loved watching and painting birds, and butterflies on colorful blooms. Donna took thousands of photographs and each one puts a smile on your face. Feel the sunshine, see the blooms. In her journal, Donna wrote that to be happy you had to have love in your heart. Donna was always happy. To know Donna is to know the celebration of fall begins September 23. Celebrate Donna W. Wade’s Celebration of an Artistic Life by joining the family at McCoy Funeral Home on Thursday, October 12, 2023. The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm a memorial service will follow the visitation beginning at 2:00 pm in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel.

Donna White Wade

December 12, 1930 - September 23, 2023