Dona M. Swanson

Dona M. Swanson

Nokesville, VA - Dona Mary (Taylor) Swanson, age 79 of Nokesville, Virginia passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, January 27, 2021 at the Millville Center LTC, after a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Bridgeton and raised in Cedar Grove to the late Paul and Prudence (Gordon) Taylor, Dona graduated from Millville High School, Class of 1960.

She married her husband Robert Swanson in 1964 and together they raised their family, moving to several different areas and settling in Prince William County, Virginia. Over the years she always looked forward to returning to Millville and visiting family and friends several times a year.

Dona loved to read books of fiction, travel, wildlife, gardening, and homesteading. It was no surprise to those who knew her that Dona would end up working in bookstores and libraries as a career. After many years of raising her children, she worked in several bookstores over the years, and became the store manager of a large B. Dalton Bookseller in Springfield, VA. In 1987 she started her career with the Prince William County library system, eventually becoming the manager at the Nokesville Neighborhood Library. After nearly 30 years of happy service, she retired in 2015.

Dona was a shining star in the community she loved. She was an extremely active member of the Nokesville, VA community, earning the distinguished honor of "Citizen of the Year" in 2012. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Nokesville Business Association and was extremely active in "Friends Uniting Nokesville." She took great pride in founding the Price William Chapter of the Literacy Volunteers of America, which is an organization that helps adults improve their lives and the lives of their families through literacy.

When Dona wasn't working or helping her community, she could be found at her desk writing creative stories or birdwatching from her back porch. She was also a member of the Greenwich Presbyterian Church in Gainseville, VA. Dona enjoyed traveling and often dreamed of adventures with her family to exotic far away places. Most of all, she treasured the time that she was able to share with her family, especially her grandchildren, who she loved very much.

Dona will be sadly missed by her loving daughter Cheri Swanson and husband Stephen Karas of Virginia Beach, VA; three grandchildren, Emanuel, Kevin, and Phoebe Karas of Virginia Beach, VA; one niece Kelly Guenther of CA; one nephew Steven Taylor of CO; her cousin Nancy Eldridge of Millville; and many close friends and associates. She was predeceased by her son Christopher Swanson in 1988; and her brother Paul Taylor, Jr.

A Memorial Service celebrating Dona's life will be held in Virginia and announced at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Christy Funeral Home, Millville.

Dona was a very giving person and anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in her loving memory may do so to a charity of their liking.

Memories and expressions of sympathy for Dona Mary Swanson may be shared on the Obituary Tribute Wall at: www.christyfuneralservice.com.