Donna Waugh Berlage

1943 - 2023

Of McLean, VA passed away on December 29,2023 in Naples, FL. Born in Washington, DC to Eloise C. and Francis H. Waugh, Donna was raised in Hyattsville, MD. She was the beloved wife of Bruce L. Berlage whom she wed in 1981 in Olney, Maryland.

Donna attended Northwestern High School and held a B.S. in Childhood Education from West Liberty University and a degree in Dental Hygiene also from West Liberty. In-between her long career as a dental hygienist, Donna worked for Revlon Cosmetics and was a devoted care giver to her grandmother, mother and her surviving husband Bruce. She spent many nights in hospitals, but only one night as a patient.

Donna was an avid reader, enjoyed playing bridge and was a huge Maryland University basketball fan. She also enjoyed playing golf and tennis with her friends at Congressional Country Club. It would not be unusual to see her around town driving her 1973 VW Bug “Shenneda”, named for the fact that “she always needed this or needed that”. Donna mourned the loss of her Border Collie “Shannon” who passed away at age 24.years old and her many cats who are in “Cat Heaven”. Traveling was a pastime that Donna loved and shared with Bruce and they succeeded in fulfilling that desire. She was also a talented decorator and seamstress and loved to add to her closets and go to “dressy” functions. Donna was also active in the Capital Speakers Club, Hoe & Hope Garden Club, McLean Project for the Arts, AAUW of McLean, the Salvation Army Women’s Organization, STYC (in St, Andrews, Canada) and the West Liberty University Foundation Board. She was a major donor to Capital Caring (Hospice) with the Family Room at the Adler Center being named after her.

Donna was loved by those who knew her and had friends from Florida to St. Andrews, Canada and abroad.

Visitation will be held, between 6:00 and 8:00 PM, at National Funeral Home,7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday January 18th at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101.

Interment will be a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Donna Berlage to the American Heart Association at 3309 Cannon Road, Fairfax, VA 22031 or the Humane Society of Fairfax ,4057 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030