Donna Butler Volpe, age, 81, of Deep Gap, N. C. Peacefully passed away on November 4th, 2023, at 12:45 pm after a courageous battle with cancer. Donna was surrounded by her family who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest being guided by Donna's religious convictions, principles and examples that she set for them. Donna was born on December 24, 1941, in Pottstown Pennsylvania. Donna's family moved from Atlantic City, New Jersey to Hallandale, Florida when Donna was in middle school, and she subsequently graduated from South Broward High School in Hollywood Florida in 1960.

Shortly after her graduation Donna met John Volpe a local Restaurateur in the Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale Florida area with whom she had a 58 yr marriage and two wonderful daughters Lisa Kay­ and Dorene Denise Volpe.

In 1977 the Volpe's built a vacation home on the Powder Horn Mountain Resort in the Boone, NC area and in 1982 John took an early retirement and the Volpe's moved into their High-Country vacation home. Donna having previously owned the Encore Consignment Store in Florida missed retail sales and went to work in Blowing Rock at the retail store Serves You Right where she spent 20 years in sales and management before retiring.

Donna was preceded in death by her Mother Ruth Butler, Father Tom Butler and her youngest daughter Dorene Volpe Hawkins and is survived by her husband of 58 wonderful years John Volpe of the home, daughter Lisa Volpe Herman & husband Ronald Herman of Hudson, granddaughter, Jessica Garrison and great granddaughter Everleigh both of Wilmington, NC, grandson Preston Herman of Hudson, Dorene's Husband Mickey Hawkins & grandson John Michael Hawkins both of Deep Gap, nephews John Olivia of Florida, & Peter Olivia of Georgia.

Everyone that met Donna would say to know her is to love her. She could only see the good in people and was generous, caring and giving to everyone she met. Donna got pleasure in giving gifts to folks without ever expecting anyone to reciprocate and as the cliche goes Donna never met a stranger. She loved to make people smile and laugh and she encouraged others to do the same. For those that knew her Donna was known for her story telling about dating her husband John & there 58 wonderful years of marriage that followed. Her favorite stories were the dime story & the engagement ring story.

Donna could keep you in stitches with her stories literally for hours. For the past twelve years Donna and her husband John spent the winters in their Coach at a RV Resort in Crystal River, Florida where Donna participated in clinical trials in the search for a cure for Multiple Myeloma an incurable but treatable cancer. Donna would say if I can help just one person that has Multiple Myeloma the trials will be worth it. Donna spent much of her time on their campsite with her friends in her "She Shack" Gazebo arranging flowers or making crafts and jewelry that she would give to her friends and new acquaintances. She seldom missed game night at the Clubhouse playing Nickels, Mexican Train or Bingo with her friends and husband. She touched so many hearts sitting around the pool telling her stories.

Donna battled cancer for ten long years following a stem cell transplant at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N. C. yet you never heard her complain and all, but a few people even knew the daily challenges she was faced with. Donna will be missed by all that knew her.

It is Donna's wish to have a Celebration of Life in the warmer months at John & Donna's home and 30 acres in Deep Gap, NC just like the Celebration she and her husband had for their daughter Dorene in 2019. The details of the Celebration will be forthcoming.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.