Amy Littrell Donley, 50, died on November 3, 2022, of metastatic breast cancer. She was diagnosed in 2016 and lived as much and as well as she could during the following years. Sometimes things were easy, sometimes they weren't.

Amy lived a full and enchanted life. Her childhood was filled with love and adventure. Her first big adventure was traveling from Alaska to Virginia in a Volkswagen bus with her mom, dad, big sister, and first dog. Mainly in a play pen! Other adventures included trips to New York for New Year's Eve; out West to the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, and the Petrified Forest; a drive to Canada; many, many camping and backpacking trips; overseas to London, Barcelona, and Rome; scuba diving in quarries, rivers, and the ocean; and train and car rides to Philmont Boy Scout Camp for long backpacking trips.

She attended Carroll County schools until her sophomore year, when she transferred to Galax High School. Her favorite subjects were English and Drama, which followed her to Emory & Henry College. After college, she moved to New York City and worked in book publishing at Simon & Schuster and Phoenix Color. Five years of the big city was enough, so Amy moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she worked in magazine publishing at Business North Carolina.

Through her sister Susan, she met the love of her life, Timothy, and they married in 2000. A child, then a move to Grayson County, then another child were yet more adventures! Amy was then lucky enough to land a job doing what she'd always dreamed of doing—being a book editor. She worked at McFarland & Co., Publishers, for nine years before cancer and its treatments made working impossible.

Amy didn't give up on all her adventures, though! Yearly book club trips, riding from Florida to Michigan as Great Race support crew, Disney World for a whole week, a winter trip to the tropical paradise of Antigua, even teaching two kids to drive. A major highlight was a ten-day trip to Iceland with her sisters in early 2022.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Timothy Clark Donley, and their two amazing children, Nathaniel and Meg, both of the home. Also surviving are her extraordinary mother, Judith Ann Casey (bonus dad C.W. Casey) of Lancaster, SC; her remarkable father, Thomas Wade Littrell (bonus mom Faye Pribble Littrell) of Galax; loving mother-in-law Anne Morrow Donley of Independence; gifted sister Susan Littrell Bond (Rich) of Amherst, VA; cherished sister Molly Littrell Griffin (Stephen) of Waxhaw, NC; nephews and niece Matthew Littrell, Rachel Griffin, Everett Griffin, and Charlie Griffin; stepsisters Kelly McCoy (Stephen Meade) and Kate McCoy (Josh Strickland); stepbrother Charlie Casey (Celissa); and precious best friend Susan Kilby.

Amy always rejected characterizing her journey with cancer as a "fight" or "battle" because that implies the chance that one could win. In her own words, "You can win a fight, but a terminal cancer patient can only lose. I did what I  had to do, and I was no braver than any person with terminal cancer."

The family of Amy Littrell Donley will host a Celebration of Life in her memory on Saturday, March 11, 2023 from 1-4 PM at Camp Dickenson; 801 Camp Dickenson Lane, Fries, Virginia 24330. Please join us for a lighthearted, casual celebration. Dress for the weather as we plan to hold most of the event outdoors at the camp pavilion. If the weather is disagreeable, we will move the event inside the camp farmhouse.

Amy attended Camp Dickenson as a child, and while in college served as a camp counselor. Her time at camp brought her many wonderful experiences and lasting relationships and played a pivotal role in her early life. With your participation we expect a fun and memorable time at a place Amy loved, celebrating her remarkable life and the love she shard generously with all of us.

We will begin gathering at 1pm with mingling, simple snacks, and opportunities to try some of Amy's favorite crafting, followed by a period of sharing stories and memories of Amy, and tributes to this amazing lady. For those who prefer not to speak but wish to share, a  journal will be available wherein you may write your stories, memories or thoughts of our beloved Amy.

There is no need to bring anything to this event except your love of Amy. Your presence is your present. For those who wish to do more, you may also: Bring your favorite snacks or finger foods to share. Participate in a book exchange to celebrate Amy's love of books and reading. You may bring a used favorite book to leave. If you bring a book, please take a different book home and enjoy the story.

We look forward to you joining us in this celebration of the beautiful life of our cherished wife, mother, sister, daughter, and aunt, Amy Littrell Donley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Amy to Camp Dickenson , Metavivor , Imagination Library , Human Rights Campaign , or The Nature Conservancy .