Donna Helen "DH" Macdonald-Scarborough
April 18, 1936 ~ August 15, 2021
Longtime Vienna, Virginia resident and prominent citizen, Donna Helen “DH” Macdonald- Scarborough, was called to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 15, 2021, at her home in Manassas, Virginia. She was surrounded by family.
Mrs. Scarborough was born on April 18, 1936, in Norman, Oklahoma to Robert George and Beulah Helen Macdonald. From an early age, she showed a remarkable intellect for all things including music. As the oldest of three girls, DH spent much of her childhood helping raise her younger sisters who she doted on until her passing.
While still a young girl, the family moved to Oahu, Hawaii where she finished elementary and junior high school and went on to attended Salinas High School in Salinas, CA after her father was transferred there by the Boy Scouts of America. Donna Helen continued to excel in academics, but really shined as a pianist, which earned her a scholarship to Stanford University.
DH married Robert Lee Scarborough, Jr., a United States Navy officer, and had four sons who she ended up raising by herself. She also became a CPA and partner in several successful accounting firms, was the president of the Town of Vienna Historical Association, president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the Town Halloween Parade Committee, Lady Fairfax, Business Owner of the Year, Business Person of the Year, President of the Vienna Small Business Association, served on the Town of Vienna Commissions, and contributed much more to her beloved town.
DH is survived by her sisters Marti Carlson and her husband, Colonel Richard Carlson, and Elaine Green and her husband, Dr. Robert Green, son Robert Lee Scarborough and his wife Caprice, son Mark Randolph Scarborough and his wife Michelle, son David Christian Scarborough and his wife Lisa, and son Eric Stephen Scarborough, and Eric’s daughters Ashleigh Mary Scarborough and Madison Lee Scarborough and their mother Janel.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 27th at 1:00 PM at Vienna Presbyterian Church followed by a Celebration of Life at the American Legion in Vienna, Va.
Mrs. Scarborough was born on April 18, 1936, in Norman, Oklahoma to Robert George and Beulah Helen Macdonald. From an early age, she showed a remarkable intellect for all things including music. As the oldest of three girls, DH spent much of her childhood helping raise her younger sisters who she doted on until her passing.
While still a young girl, the family moved to Oahu, Hawaii where she finished elementary and junior high school and went on to attended Salinas High School in Salinas, CA after her father was transferred there by the Boy Scouts of America. Donna Helen continued to excel in academics, but really shined as a pianist, which earned her a scholarship to Stanford University.
DH married Robert Lee Scarborough, Jr., a United States Navy officer, and had four sons who she ended up raising by herself. She also became a CPA and partner in several successful accounting firms, was the president of the Town of Vienna Historical Association, president of the Chamber of Commerce, president of the Town Halloween Parade Committee, Lady Fairfax, Business Owner of the Year, Business Person of the Year, President of the Vienna Small Business Association, served on the Town of Vienna Commissions, and contributed much more to her beloved town.
DH is survived by her sisters Marti Carlson and her husband, Colonel Richard Carlson, and Elaine Green and her husband, Dr. Robert Green, son Robert Lee Scarborough and his wife Caprice, son Mark Randolph Scarborough and his wife Michelle, son David Christian Scarborough and his wife Lisa, and son Eric Stephen Scarborough, and Eric’s daughters Ashleigh Mary Scarborough and Madison Lee Scarborough and their mother Janel.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 27th at 1:00 PM at Vienna Presbyterian Church followed by a Celebration of Life at the American Legion in Vienna, Va.
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D.H. wasn’t just our long time CPA; she was our long time good friend. She was a fixture in Vienna and knew just about everyone if not on a personal level, on a professional one. D.H. was someone you could trust and count on in any and all areas. She was always the first to jump in and volunteer to help whenever and wherever she was needed. She was loved and respected by all of us who were fortunate to know her and she will be missed in all of our lives. Ann and I send our love and condolences to her sons, their wives and two granddaughters, who she loved dearly and brought her so much joy.
BTW just to be clear, in my last sentence I was saying that all of her sons, daughters-in-law and granddaughters brought her joy!
DH will be remembered with love by all who had the good fortune to know her. Anne Silverman (Annamae)
DH was such a good person and such a great friend to many who knew her. Her family and all of us will miss her. She touched so many lives. Connie Ferguson
DH was a wonderful person, a wonderful accountant and a friend to all members of 3CMA. We will miss her. Patty Prince President, 3CMA
DH was a sweet person. Worked with her at Johnson Robinson for a very long time. My blessings to the family. I know she will be missed by so many.
DH was such an inspiration to us at Christ Church Vienna (Anglican Church). She was always smiling, eager to serve, quietly radiating the love of Christ. We will so miss her and we thank the Lord He allowed us to share a brief time together on this earth. To her family–we are praying for you and give thanks to you for sharing DH with us.
I was one of DH’s long time clients and friends. She was a fantastic person. She was always open to discuss public affairs and had a great sense about people–which contributed to her business and personal success. I will miss her greatly. I was proud to call her “my accountant” but more importantly, I was proud to call her “My Friend.” My deepest sympathies to her family at this time. May God bless DH.
I received a card with notification that DH had passed away. I was so sad to hear that she suffered from Cancer. I first met DH when I was working with Jack Connor as his secretary in Virginia. DH did his taxes and later on she did my taxes when I left to marry Charlie Read and move to Virginia Beach. Her family will be in my prayers as you struggle during this sad sad time.
I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. My sincerest condolences to D.H.’s family. She started doing my taxes in 1987 and over the years we became friends. She was kind, empathic and genuine – the real deal. We often talked about family and she was so proud of her beloved sons, daughters-in-law and granddaughters. I will miss her so much!
DH was an incredible person. I first met her when I was president of the Vienna Tysons chamber. She was a great help to me during that year and then we remained friends. She always had a smile, great story about something in her past and always found a way to make me feel good about my business, chairmanship or anything else I was working on at the time. She was such a bigger than life person and she will be missed.
A candle was lit for the decedent.
I was very sorry to learn of DH’s passing. The news reached me late, as I recently moved from Vienna and the message was delayed by mail forwarding. DH was an incredible woman and a great role model. My ex-husband Eric Brown and I were clients of her accounting firm, and Eric worked with her son Robert. After our divorce, she continued to provide tax services to me until her retirement. Although I only saw her once a year, it was always a pleasure to chat with her and catch up on family news. With deepest sympathy, Patti (Brown) Sanderson