Mrs Donna Marie Kurcina-Dow

Donna Kurcina-Dow

August 19, 1957—September 17, 2023

Donna Marie Kurcina-Dow died at home in South Riding, VA on Sunday, September 17 with her husband Jeff and granddaughter Olivia by her side after a year-long battle with cancer.

Donna was born to John and Mary Kurcina in Brownsville, PA, a coal mining town along the Monongahela River south of Pittsburgh. Her father, John, worked his whole life in the mines and as a flagpole painter. Her mother was a homemaker well known in the community for her baked goods. Donna graduated from Brownsville High School where she played clarinet in the marching band. She moved to Vienna, VA shortly after graduation and began working as a hairdresser for John Edward’s, her older brother’s hair salon. She went on to work for Mid-Atlantic telecom, Net-tel and World Comm. She also served as a weekend waitress for many years at The Virginian, her brother-in-law’s restaurant in Vienna. Until recently she spent more than a decade working for Auto-Body of Vienna—nearly everyone who called or came into the shop met Donna. And for the past decade, Donna was an active worshipper and volunteer at Christ Church Vienna (VA).

Donna and her husband Jeff have been married for 31 years. They met at Joe Theisman’s Restaurant in Vienna. The bartender made Jeff move down a few stools so Donna and her friend could sit down. The rest is history.

Donna was a faithful friend and spouse who loved her granddaughter and all her family: attending games, concerts and plays for her nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews over the years. She also enjoyed a good football or hockey game, music and concerts, visiting antique stores with her granddaughter Olivia, and the Christmas season. Later in life she took up fishing with Jeff; fly fishing up in the Catskills was very high on her list of things to do. Donna enjoyed cooking and shared many of her mother’s traditional holiday foods with the next generations.

Donna enjoyed visiting with neighbors, friends and family and was known for her amazing memory of the names of those she met—from one-time customers at the Auto-Body shop to childhood friends of her adult nieces and nephews. Donna had a knack for bringing good people together who would then become good friends themselves. She always made others feel known and valued and went out of her way to make sure everyone was included. Donna will be missed.

Donna is survived by her husband Jeff Dow, granddaughter Olivia, and older sister and brothers: Patty Zahand, John Kurcina, and Michael Kurcina.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 30 at 11:00am at Vienna Assembly of God (100 Ayr Hill Ave NE, Vienna, VA 22180). A Celebration Reception will follow the service at The American Legion, Post 180 (330 Center St N, Vienna, VA 22180). All are invited to remember and celebrate Donna’s life.