Mary Josephine Donelson

Mary Josephine "Jo" (Conesa) Donelson, age 85, of Fayetteville, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
Mom was born on August 25, 1939 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. She was the second of five children and often recounted fond memories of her childhood growing up on the coast of Puerto Rico. She was perfectly fluent in Spanish although no one ever suspected it because her English was also perfect and she had no accent. Mom moved with her family to Miami, FL in 1955. There she met a young man named Tommy Donelson, and on June 27, 1959 they were married. Their marriage would span 55 years until Dad's death in 2014. During the first 27 years of their marriage Mom's life would be filled with travel and establishing and reestablishing loving homes for her husband and children during Dad's career in the US Air Force. Duty stations included Florida, Texas, Georgia, Germany, New Mexico and North Carolina. She especially enjoyed the opportunities for travel while the family lived in Germany. Mom had a taste for classical music, classic movies, good books, gardening, birdwatching, and fine clothing. She was also very fond of a green MG Midget convertible sports car which she drove in the late 70's and 80's. The MG Midget fit her taste, and her 5 feet 0 inch frame, quite well. Mom took great pleasure and pride in watching the successes of her four children, their marriages, and especially the grandchildren which came from those marriages. After moving to Fayetteville, Mom became an active congregant at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where she was a member of the choir and Seton Seniors.
She enthusiastically researched her family genealogy and leaves this work as a legacy to her family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Tommy Donelson, her parents, H.B. Conesa and Lillian Doty, and her siblings, Bert, Bill, and Lian. She leaves behind her 4 children, Pamela, David, Michael and Amy, their spouses, 9 grandchildren, and her sister, Betsy.
A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Fayetteville, NC.
On line condolences may be sent to www.wilmingtoncares.com.
Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 South 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403, 910-791-9099.