Donna Sue Delaney Cecil

Donna Sue Delaney Cecil, 78, of Concord, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home on February 12, 2026.

Born July 20, 1947, in Campbell County, Kentucky, Donna was the daughter of the late Dorothy Greer Delaney and the late Jack Delaney. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jeffrey Scot Cecil, whom she married in 1971 and who passed away in 2012.

Donna carried her Kentucky upbringing with her throughout her life. Raised in a hardworking family shaped by Depression era values, she developed a lifelong appreciation for perseverance, thrift, and kindness. She loved reading from childhood onward and maintained an extensive personal collection of books throughout her life.

She built a respected professional career through dedication and reliability and spent many years as a legal secretary with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she retired in 2012. In 2017 she moved to North Carolina to be closer to her daughter.

Her greatest joy was her family. She was a loving and committed wife, a proud mother, and a devoted grandmother. As Grandma, she took special pleasure in spoiling her grandchildren. She loved sharing stories about her children and celebrating their accomplishments. Her son affectionately called her "Fuzzy," a nickname that began as a joke and remained a term of love.

Donna had a creative heart and found happiness in making things for others. She enjoyed cross stitching, crafting, and creating lovingly baby blankets for family and friends. She never missed an episode of Jeopardy and usually knew most of the answers. Christmas was especially meaningful to her. Each year she and her husband baked large batches of cookies to share with friends, and her children remember making cookies and fudge together in the kitchen, occasionally sneaking treats from the tray when she was not looking.

She was generous, loving, sassy, and funny, and she cared deeply for the people in her life. Her humor and kindness will be remembered by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Breann Jencka and husband Dan of Concord, and her son, Brandon Cecil and wife Bonnie of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Jocelyn Jencka and Blake Cecil. Donna is also survived by her brothers, John Delaney (Doris) of Kentucky and Michael Delaney of Texas, along with extended family and friends who will miss her deeply.

A private family service will be held.

Donna will be laid to rest beside her husband at Twin Valley Memorial Park in Delmont, Pennsylvania.

Online condolences may be left at wilkinsonfuneralhome.com.