Donna Lee Sword

Donna Lee (Saunders) Sword, 80, of Hagerstown, Maryland passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024. Donna was born on November 16, 1943. She was the daughter of the late Charles Raymond and Dorothy Ilene Saunders.

Donna graduated from Saint Maria Goretti High School in 1961. She received her diploma in Nursing from Bon Secour Hospital in 1964 and an Associate’s Degree from Hagerstown Junior College in 1974.

Donna went on to work as a Registered Nurse at the Maryland Correctional Institute Hagerstown until she retired in 2005.

Donna was a member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and Catholic Daughters. She was active in Tops Chapter 0077, the Morris Frock American Legion Post 42 Auxiliary, and the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Donna was also involved in the Queen Ester Order of the Eastern Star No. 3, the Rebekahs Lodge No. 8 and the Pythion Sisters.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband, James M. Sword IV, who passed away July 11, 2017 and her brother, Charles William (Bill) Saunders.

Donna is survived by her daughters, JoAnn Barney and her husband Steve of Rockville, MD, Susan Leonard and her husband Brian of Martinsburg, WV, Sara Sword and her partner Gene of Aurora, CO and son, James Sword V and his wife Jennifer of Hagerstown, MD. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Angela and David Barney, James Sword VI, Willow and David Leonard, and Tabitha and Laina Vesey, as well as her sister JoAnn Staup.

A chapel service will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 1:00 with a two hour viewing before from 11:00-1:00 at Rest Haven Funeral Home, 1601 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21742. Entombment will follow directly after chapel service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church Hagerstown.