Donna S. Grondin

Donna Elizabeth (Sewell) Grondin, 79 of Greer, SC, passed away on March 4, 2024, after a brief illness. Daughter of the late Elizabeth (Burns) Sewell and Donald Sewell, Donna was born in Salem, MA, on April 13, 1944. Donna lived her young life in Salem, MA, and Manchester-by-the Sea, MA, where she begrudgingly attended catholic schools, ultimately graduating from St. James High School in Salem, MA, in 1962, much to the shock of the nuns. She was known for testing limits and having fun! She spent her afternoons as a soda jerk at Eaton’s Drug Store until she was let go for giving free treats to her young admirers. After high school she briefly attended, and we are told, graduated from Essex Agricultural School of Cosmetology. The only evidence of this education was the perms she gave her daughters in the 1970s. Donna left Massachusetts and her family settled in Greenville, SC, where she enjoyed life as a stay-at-home mom, and she was an avid tennis player. She did not fold into the southern lifestyle easily, and often failed to make proper sweet tea, and other southern delicacies. Donna was a fiercely present mother and never missed a gymnastics meet, soccer game, or swim meet. She even fell into the baby pool at Devenger Place with a full casserole of spaghetti for a pasta party. She loved people watching and never met a stranger. Donna began working as a phlebotomist with Greenville Hospital in 1988, which became a lifelong career. She moved back to Massachusetts and continued phlebotomy working for the American Red Cross. She made many friends (and enemies—those unfortunate donors with “bad veins”) while working for the Red Cross. Donna’s true passion in life was watching her grandchildren excel in life. Her greatest joys were Riley, Caroline, Bridget, Julia, Seth, Zoe, and Sophia. She was always up for a ride in the car for ice cream at Dillard’s, a trip to the beach, hanging out at the pool, or just dishing about reality TV! She loved giant Hershey bars (her freezer is full--she had big plans), a nice scotch at California Dreaming, and she always had a candy bowl full of Reese’s on her counter. She could also fuel a Swiss cake roll addiction like no other! She had a quick wit and an even bigger heart. Donna was the mother to Dr. Jennifer Baugh (Craig) of Inman, SC, and Danyelle Parker (Andrew) of Greer, SC. She was the sister of Gary Sewell (Marlene) of New Hampshire, Gail Sewell (Acciavatti) of Beverly, MA, Brian Sewell of Peabody, MA, and Casey Sewell (Judith) of Florida. She was the loving aunt to many nieces, a nephew, and several great nieces and nephews. Donna did not wish to have a service as “no one needs to be looking at me when I’m dead.,” and the family is respecting her wishes to be cremated. She would love for her legacy to live in the lives of her grandchildren. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Donna S. Grondin

April 13, 1944 - March 4, 2024