Donna Reel Powers, age 70, passed away on March 20, 2019. She was born October 10, 1948 to the late Ola Kincy and Dorothy Boyd Reel. Her early years were spent in Eastern NC and she was a 1966 graduate of Grifton High School. She lived in Japan for a year and later met and married her soulmate, Richard Powers, who preceded her in death. They lived many years in Charlotte prior to moving to Jacksonville, Fla, Wilmington, Cary and retiring to a waterfront community near Beaufort NC. Donna moved to Morrisville, NC in 2012 to be near her grandkids.
Donna’s early career choices included administration, legal and real estate. She later graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in Charlotte and eventually found her “niche” in clinical research.
She lived life to the fullest checking off every item on her bucket list from traveling both domestically and abroad to running a 10k, mastering a ski slope in Aspen, learning to sail and water ski and landing the largest fish in a river competition. However, nothing was as meaningful to her as spending time with her family and friends. She was a devoted mother to Courtney and Chas, a kind and generous sister, aunt and friend; and the world’s best “Gigi” to her grandson, Jaxson and granddaughter, Bella. She was the one cheering the loudest at Jaxson’s ice hockey games and clapping the most vigorously at Bella’s theatrical performances. She also enjoyed being a Gigi to Jaxson and Bella’s cousins, Skylar and Ava, and developed a close family relationship with their parents Michael and Ryann Riggs and grandparents Jim and JoAnne Verska after they relocated to Apex from Detroit.
A member of First United Methodist Church in Cary, Donna actively participated in the Wisdom Sunday School Class where she was called to community service and blessed with many enduring friendships.
In addition to her husbands, Charles Parisher and Richard Powers, and parents, Donna was preceded in death by her brother, Kincy Madison Reel and step daughter, Michelle Powers. She is survived by a son, Chas Parisher and wife Jill of Owens Mills,MD, daughter Courtney and husband Zachary Verska of Cary, NC; stepdaughters Judy and Lisa Powers of Morehead City, grandchildren Isabella and Jaxson Verska; step grandchildren, Jennifer McCauley and Jessie Rose; three step great grandchildren; sisters, Ann Jackson and husband Allan of Ayden, NC, Hilda Everett and brother Tommy Reel and wife Janie of Greenville, NC; and her dear friends Margaret Foley and Linda Norton.
Donna’s family acknowledge and thank Murat Arcosoy, M.D. and Erin O’Branski , P.A. of Duke Oncology for the compassionate medical care she received for over ten years that can only be described as amazing; Duke Homecare and Hospice staff, Dr. Amrita Parikh-Desai of WakeMed, the FUMC Wisdom Sunday School and especially Donna’s sister and stem cell donor,Hilda Everett, for the loving support and personal care given in the last stages of her journey. Friends and family are welcome to attend a celebration of Donna’s life at First United Methodist Church Cary at 117 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511 on Monday, March 25th at 1:00 pm with a coffee/dessert reception following the service.
Contributions in Donna’s memory may be made to MPN Research Foundation, 180 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 1870, Chicago, Il 60601 or through their website www.mpnresearchfoundation.org.
There is one thing that really matters in life. Love. I joined Donnas family as a young insecure au-pair in the summer of 1984. My memory is filled with sunshine, laughter, John Cougar Mellencamp on the radio, a day on the lake, climbing the mountains, meeting loving family,, family dinners, being looked out for, a sense of beloning, and most of all a feeling of being uconditionally loved. That is the gift that Donna and her family gave me. God sent an angel. Rest in peace Donna.
Dona was my neighbor, we were introduced one morning unintentionally when in almost half sleep, cold winter morning I came out to do something and saw an ambulance beside curb. Then saw two people carying a lady to that ambulance. I couldn’t stop my self from asking if she was fine. She replied with such a conviction and showed me OK sign, that I was stunned to see her strenght and courage. It left such a mark on me that I wanted to know more about her but didn’t know anyone in area or around to ask about her nor did I knew her or when she will be back. Hence I asked few neighbors same morning and was fortunate to get reply from Pat, who became our mutual connection. Soon after she was back I visted her and she told me a lot about her and health. Inspite of all the pain she was in, she was full of life. Each time after that we met, she will always smile, not talk much about her illness. Last few month life was so busy, inspite of planning several time and just few meters away, couldn’t meet her due to several things going on in life. Was made aware about her passing away on 21 March around 2 am and could sleep entire night due to guilt of not meeting her one last time and never getting a chance to saying goodbye. I may not know her entire life but know her enough as a human that she was a honest soul. Me and my entire family will miss you and you will always be in our memories Dona. My prayers for entire family and friends. RIP Dona
— Dharm
22 March 2019
Morrsiville NC
