Donna Yockey Watts

Donna Yockey Watts, 68, passed away October 14, 2023. Born in Portsmouth and a Proud lifelong Norfolk resident she was the daughter of the late Robert S. Yockey and Ruby Solly Yockey.

After graduating from Norview High School in 1973, Donna worked in local law offices before finding a home at the law firm of Kaufman and Canoles as a real estate paralegal. After twenty some years she left that group of very talented people for a different challenge, landing with the real estate developer Terry Peterson Companies. Donna stayed there another twenty plus years before retiring in June of 2021. She did not refer to either company as employer but rather family.

If Donna wasn't looking for a new travel adventure or searching her family tree, she was pursuing her passion for gardening by tending to the beautiful gardens she created at her home.

She loved people and had lifelong friendships, many established in grade school. It was important for Donna to know an individual and be able to address them by name. You show a person you care if you remember their name, she would say.

Donna will be sorely missed by numerous close and caring friends and family members. She was predeceased by her older brother Howard Hughes. Among those left to cherish the impact Donna had on their lives include her brother, Pat Yockey (Jane); nephews, Robert and Daniel (Roselyn) Yockey; niece, Emma Yockey; and cousins, Jim Knight (Kim) and Bill Elliott (Cindy).

Godspeed Donna, on to your next journey!

The family wishes to express their immense gratitude to all the caregivers of Commonwealth Senior Living at the Ballentine as well as the physicians and health care professionals that provided Donna world class medical care.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Operation Smile or another children's charity of your choice.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday October 19, 2023 in the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hdoliver.com