Donell M. Carey

Donell Carey, resident of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away suddenly on November 25, 2024, in Charleston, South Carolina, with her family close to her. She was born July 8,1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Monroe and Milda Starkey. 

She was a loving mother to her children, Scott and Tammy (Vowell), and to their spouses whom she loved as her own, Kari and Randy. Donell loved her children to extremes, always supporting them and allowing them to make their own way, no matter what. She taught them through her example and encouragement to live boldly: make the tough decisions, buy the thing you’ve worked so hard for, take the trip, love others, and to live with the outcome of those decisions with no regret. 

She was an adored and cherished Nana to Conlan, Teagan, and Caroline, who were the lights of her life. She loved them “to the moon and back” and was always present to support them when they played sports or performed in musical events, whether it was in person or getting a play-by-play on the phone. She insisted on being a daily part of her grandchildren’s lives, moving to AZ when Conlan and Teagan were born, and then moving to FL when Caroline was little. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family, and she was always there for them, dropping anything to make them her priority. 

Donell was also a kindhearted and loyal friend who was always up for fun and spur-of-the-moment adventures. She loved and accepted people completely, just as they were. There was never any judgment from her, and if you were her friend, you had a friend for life. Her smile was infectious, she loved a good joke or a story, and she loved to laugh.

Donell spent her early life traveling, living everywhere from Antigua, British West Indies, to Hawaii, and many states in between. She lived in Paris and traveled extensively throughout Europe. She was always amazed by beautiful places and good food, and she never lost her wanderlust. Recently she lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures such as walking on the beach, playing golf, spending time with those she loved, and spoiling her many beloved dogs. 

Her beautiful spirit and life will live on in the hearts and lives of her children and grandchildren who will miss her and carry her love with them forever. They will share plans for a Celebration of Life ceremony at a future date.