Donna L. Parks-Wilner

Donna Parks-Wilner, born on April 15th, 1958, in Baltimore, Maryland, passed away Sunday evening, August 31st, 2025, after a hard-fought battle against cancer. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by those she loved, and those that loved her.

Donna was stalwart in her friendships and loyalty, exceptional in her hospitality to all who crossed her doorstep, and unrivaled in her ability to face complex challenges with grace and ease. It’s these qualities she passed to her children, Cory, and Jennifer, and shared with the 44-year love of her life, Hal. She shared her warmth and joy openly and often with her grandchildren, who she loved being Mimi to in every way.

She was an avid and skilled equestrian throughout her life, passing that love of horses on to her daughter, becoming an equally-skilled and avid horse show mom. Her love of animals went further, as shown by her volunteer work at a potcake dog rescue center in the Bahamas.

Donna created and cared for communities, whether it was over the course of 37 years at A.J. Properties, or through her travels to the family home in Abaco. With her love of live music and natural storytelling ability, the people who knew Donna best found in her a rare and brilliant mind, a caring heart, and an unending spirit.

Donna was preceded in death by H. Emslie Parks, her father; Arlene Parks, her mother; and Douglas Parks, her brother.

She is survived by Hal, her husband; Cory (Heather) and Jennifer (Ryan), her children; Emslee and Hunter, her grandchildren; Joseph, her Godson; Cinda, her sister; and Julie and Matthew, her niece and nephew.

To best remember Donna, please go to a beach with a drink in your hand, put your feet into the sand, and look out over the ocean.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Abaco Shelter: https://www.abacoshelter.org/

Visitation: Saturday, September 6th, 10:00AM -12:00PM at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home, 1212 West Old Liberty Rd., Winfield, MD 21784. Online condolences to www.burrier-queen.com.

Celebration of Life to immediately follow. Please join us for food and drinks at:

The Wilner Residence 7238 Morgan Rd. Woodbine, MD 21797

Please note the celebration will be outside, please dress accordingly.