Donna Jeane Davis Taurel

Franklin - Donna Davis Taurel, age 79, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2009. She was in her Franklin home surrounded by her loving family. Donna was born March 6, 1930, in Hammond, Indiana to her parents, Frances Arline Whitsel and Eugene Arthur Davis. After high school graduation, she earned her 3 year Diploma as an RN through Home Hospital, in association with Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. She began her career in a psychiatric hospital; over the course of the several years, she worked in many hospitals and doctors’ offices.

Donna moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL., purchased a motel and managed it on her own until she sold it to become Administrator of a larger hotel on the beach. She was one of the first females on the Board of Directors for the Hotel-Motel Association. After several years in the Hotel industry, Donna went back to nursing and began The P.D.Q. Nurse, Inc., a home care and staff relief agency in South Florida with 3 offices. Donna again switched careers and opened PERSNICKETY GIFT BASKET SHOPPE, a high-end shop in Boca Raton, FL. She also co-authored Boca’s Persnickety Oh So Boca...ish cookbook during this time. While owner of the gift shop, she and her daughter, Debe, opened the North Carolina office of The P.D.Q. Nurse, Inc. in April, 1985. Donna owned her home in Franklin since 1988, but moved to the moutains full-time in 1995. She was President of The P.D.Q. Nurse, Inc., while daughter Debe was Vice President of Operations.

While in South Florida, Donna joined the Zonta Club of Boca Raton, and immediately became a very involved member. After her move to North Carolina, Donna worked with another sister Zontian to begin a new club in Franklin. She and Mary Fletcher founded the Zonta Club of Franklin, which was chartered in 1998. She was Vice-President initially, but within 6 months became President, and worked endlessly to advance the status of women through service and advocacy. One of her favorite roles was her involvement in beginning the Art & Chocolate benefit that has become an annual event for the club. Donna was also an active volunteer at the Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Angel Hospital, appropriately placed in their gift shop. Donna’s wandering spirit and endless curiosity of various cultures was cultivated through her extensive travel adventures with friends and family, one of the highlights was a 20,000 mile trip on her family’s self-owned and operated yacht.

Donna is preceded in death by her brother, Richard Davis, her husband, Henry Taurel, and her son, Randall Sidwell. She is survived by her sister, Diane Render of Hendersonville, NC, her daughter, Debe Nowicki, grandchildren, Trevor & Allison Nowicki of Franklin, Charles Sidwell of Sturgis, KY, Ashley & William Sidwell of Boca Raton, Fl, daughter-in-law, Jean Sidwell of Boca Raton, FL, one niece, Nicki, and one great-grandchild, Roe.

A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held at Morrison Presbyterian Church on March 28th at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her name be made to Morrison Presbyterian Church, Morrison Church Road, Franklin, NC and The Zonta Club of Franklin, PO Box 1492, Franklin, NC 28734.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are available by visiting www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com or by email.