Donna Lee Wax Earney, age 67, died peacefully at her home on Sunday, March 3, 2013.

A longtime resident of Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington, she was born on Oct. 31, 1945, in Charleston, S.C., to USMC Sergeant Major Sam B Wax and Victoria Barrett Wax. She grew up in South Carolina, New York, Boston, and Germany, before settling in Jacksonville, where she graduated from high school in 1963. She attended nursing school and Wilmington College. She worked as a reporter for the Jacksonville Daily News newspaper, and in public relations in Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee, Wisc. Her most cherished job was as "Nonni" devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, and home school teacher.

She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Charles "Chuck" Earney; her two sons, Barrett Earney (Anna) and Oliver Earney; and two granddaughters, Ansley and Camille of Wilmington. Two sisters, Susan (Richard) Wolfe of Columbia, S.C., and Cherri (Michael) McKay of Wilmington; and three brothers, Michael Wax (Judy) of Wilmington, Mark Wax (Julia) of Emerald Isle, Dan Wax (Denise) of Columbia, S.C.; her adopted sister and cherished friend, Susie Sheffield; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

Donna was a generous, caring, and compassionate person who freely shared her knowledge and experience with those in need. She was most passionate about her family, her pets, cooking and being near the ocean. She was a talented writer and painter who had a life-long appreciation for the arts including music, literature, film and theatre. Her meticulous eye for beauty was a gift she lovingly shared. She contributed her abundant creativity to event planning, and designed the programs, posters, and announcements for many weddings, births and productions. Donna was a very important creative contributor to Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green and Journey Productions. She had a strong faith in Jehovah God built on knowledge of the Bible.

Donna was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. A public memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 212 Futch Creek Road, Wilmington, N.C. 28411.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday evening at Andrews Market Street Chapel.

For those who wish to do so, memorials may be made to a .

Online condolences may be made at andrewsmortuary.com.

Andrews Market Street Chapel