Donna Sue Groves Death – Cause of Death – Creator of the barn quilt trail movement and champion of Appalachian culture, Donna Sue Groves sadly died at the age of 73. She passed away on the 13th of November 2021 at the age of 73 after suffering from chronic health challenges. Donna was best known for having created the concept of barn quilt trails, a grassroots public art project. The “clothesline of quilts” started in 2001 in Adams County, Ohio. She was a community organizer and arts enthusiast. Reports says that Donna’s creation was aimed at promoting regional tourism, support artisans, and preserve old barns. Similar barn quilt trails can now be found in almost all 50 states and in parts of Canada.
Julianne Donofrio revealed in an article that some of Donna’s numerous awards includes being the recipient of the 2001 Friends of Southern State Community College; the 2004 Outstanding Philanthropist by the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; the 2006 Sinclair College Wayne White — Unsung Hero Award; the 2010 Friend of the Arts by Ohio’s Appalachian Country; and the 2010 Ohio Governor’s Award for the Arts in Community Development and Participation. Donna also received the Jenco Award from the Jenco Foundation Fund at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio in 2004, and again in 2015 in recognition of her model service and leadership throughout the region.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Michael Blaine Groves. Survived by Sharon Paxton, her cousin; Christy Farnbauch, the “daughter of her heart”; Julianne Donofrio; dozens of friends and colleagues across the globe; and the hundreds of people. Donna spent her final years in Hillsboro, OH. She will be greatly missed.
Pieced Together said; “Some sad news…Donna Sue Groves, creator of the #barnquilt movement, has passed away at age 73 after a long illness.”