Donna Rae Madison, 79, of Stephenson, Virginia, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Friday, August 21, 2026, in Winchester, Virginia.

Born and raised on Long Island, New York, Donna was a lifelong New Yorker who spent the vast majority of her life in Massapequa. She only left New York at age 76 to be closer to her daughter in Virginia. She was born on March 31, 1947, in Oceanside, the daughter of the late Raymond Leroy Bouton (deceased July 27, 2012) and Marcella (Billa) Bouton (deceased September 1985), and granddaughter of Evangeline and Edward Billa. A graduate of Massapequa High School, Class of 1965, she later ran her own business as a child caregiver and housekeeper and worked for many years as a dedicated Dietary Aide at the United Presbyterian Residence of Woodbury, NY, where she lovingly cared for her grandmother Evangeline, who had helped raise her.

A woman of Methodist faith, Donna was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church in Massapequa, where she had her daughter baptized and confirmed under Pastor Sneller (now deceased). While still living in New York, her daughter introduced her to Winchester Grace Brethren Church’s online services, and Donna found real comfort and joy in them for many years enjoying Sunday Services and Wednesday Bible Study.

The beach was one of the great loves of her life. From her own childhood summers with her parents, through the years raising her daughter, and continuing for many years afterward, Donna, her daughter, and her parents shared countless days together at Jones Beach. Those multi-generational visits remained a source of joy and lasting family memories. In her final years on Long Island, Donna continued to return to the beach nearly every day.

Above all, Donna’s life was defined by her profound love and devotion to her daughter. As a hardworking single mother, she poured her heart into raising Denise (Neisey), ensuring she always felt supported, cherished, and loved. She worked tirelessly yet somehow always had energy, time, and warmth for her child. Mother and daughter often remarked that they were twins, they resembled and sounded alike, and shared many of the same loves, from hot soup and coffee to cats and the beach. Donna told her daughter, “I live through you, when you are happy, I am happy.” Even when life was hard, she remained kind, loving, sweet, and deeply forgiving, the best nurse anyone could ask for, offering her daughter and family the sweetest, warmest energy and compassion. She loved selflessly and unconditionally, and always at her own expense if that was what love required.

Donna was a lifelong cat lover who always shared her home with pets. She especially treasured her childhood dog Hobo and later the many cats who brought her joy, caring for them devotedly until their passing. She also cared for her late father, her late husband, and her late grandmother until the end of their lives, giving of herself completely as a caregiver.

She loved to dance and loved music. Her favorite show was The Price Is Right, which her daughter remembers from childhood all the way through Donna’s last days. Her warmth, sweetness, and forgiving nature touched many beyond her immediate family.

Donna is survived by her loving daughter, Denise Marcella Rodriguez, and Denise’s husband, whom she affectionately called Zo. All her life Donna used to joke that she wished she had a boy, and when she came to know her son-in-law she said she had finally found her son. She was overwhelmed with joy and loved him with all her heart. She looked forward to seeing him nearly every day after moving to Virginia and loved the way he doted on her. She will also be missed by many dear friends, including her close New York friends Mark and Nicole Gesualdo, who were like family to her in her final years there. In Virginia, she enjoyed visits from Zo’s sister Vo, whom she affectionately called her “nail girl” (the two of them known as the “pink bandits”), and from Zo’s brother, Josh. Vo’s daughter Nicole also brought special light into Donna’s life toward the end, and Donna deeply appreciated her kindness.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, the late John J. Madison, her parents, and her grandparents.

Services will be held privately with Pastor Kevin Mincey of Winchester Grace Brethren Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local animal shelter or cat rescue in her memory.