Sue Sheldon Donaldson

Sue Marshall Sheldon Donaldson, 83, of Williamsburg died Friday, May 7, 2021. For decades, she was a “professional volunteer” leader in the Williamsburg arts community. The daughter of Keith and Martha Volk Marshall, she grew up in Newport News, Hampton, and Gloucester and was graduated from Gloucester High School. She attended the College of William & Mary as a member of the class of 1959. A founding member of An Occasion for the Arts (AOFTA), she served variously as president, secretary, artistic director, and for four decades a member of the board. She held leadership positions with the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center (WCAC, formerly This Century Gallery) and, as a long-term member of the exhibitions committee, arranged showings of artistic works. She was a representative on the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission. She believed art needs to be appreciated and artistic achievement promoted. She developed a keen, discriminating eye in building a much-admired collection of paintings in various media, sculpture, and pottery. She became an accomplished watercolor artist. Sue was a strong supporter of Child Development Resources (CDR) and its mission helping children with special needs. For several years she served as a principal coordinator of its annual fund-raising auction and as a board member. She also served Avalon, a home for abused women, as a board member. She was a member of the Kingspoint Women’s Club and a volunteer during Historic Garden Week in Williamsburg. Sue took pleasure in cooking, testing, and adopting new heart-healthy recipes and in entertaining a wide circle of friends. She enjoyed small-boat sailing and foreign travel. Her family gatherings on the Outer Banks were celebrations of love. She was predeceased by her first husband, Army Captain Charles M. Sheldon, killed in Vietnam in 1966, and her sister, Ann Marshall Webb of Gloucester. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, John E. Donaldson; her son, Kennon “Ken” M. Sheldon (Melanie) of Columbia, MO; two daughters, Keith “Kiki” Sheldon (Kevin Young) of Eugene, OR; and Jennifer D. Hubbard (Colin) of Telluride, CO; grandchildren, Camber, Sarah and Tristan Sheldon; Phoebe Sheldon Young and Piper Sheldon Young; Ryder and Kai Hubbard; and a nephew, Keith Webb of Gloucester. The family will unite to place Sue’s ashes at rest in the William & Mary Memorial Garden on campus on a yet-to-be-determined date in June. The Contemporary Art Center will coordinate a broader celebration of her life later this summer or early fall. Memorial donations to honor her memory may be made to WCAC, P.O. Box 388, Williamsburg, VA 23187, or CDR, P.O. Box 280, Norge, VA 23127, or AOFTA, P.O. Box 363, Williamsburg, VA 23187, or The William & Mary Foundation (Fund 4980--Studio Art Innovation), P.O. Box 1693, Williamsburg, VA 23187. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.