Margaret Ann Mitchell Donaldson, known to her family and friends as "Mam," died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 6, 1923, in Bessemer. She graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery and studied piano performance at Northwestern University before marrying James C. Donaldson Jr., also of Bessemer, in 1944.
She was the consummate Navy wife, successfully managing the frequent moves, creating welcoming homes and enduring the long absences of her aviator husband. She also taught elementary school at various times in her life. She loved traveling, golfing and spending time with family and friends. All who met her loved her warm and gracious personality.
She was preceded in death by her husband Retired U.S. Navy Admiral James C. Donaldson.
Survivors include three daughters Linda (Bruce) Thomas of Roswell, Ga.; Susan Organek of Virginia Beach, Va.; and Dr. Laura (Michael Hogue) Donaldson of Ithaca, N.Y.; long-time partner, John Dunn of Daphne; brother, Thomas Mitchell of Brevard, N.C.; three beloved grandsons, James Thomas, a graduate student at Kansas State University; Wesley Organek, a student at Longwood University; and Casey Organek, a student at Virginia Tech.
Her ashes will be interred with those of her husband at the U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium in Annapolis, Ms., at a later date.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1 at Spanish Fort United Methodist Church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to a charity of your choice.
