DOVER - Evelyn "Grace" McDonnell, age 89, of Dover, died Nov. 25, 2010, at Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital, Dover. Born in Kinston, N.C. she was the daughter of the late Herbert Lundy Garris and Ellie Mumford Garris. Raised in Raleigh, N.C. she had graduated from Hugh Morson High School and the Duke University School of Nursing in Durham, N.C. She had enlisted in the US Army Nurse Corps and served as a 2nd Lt. Her duties included service with the Duke University Hospital Unit - 65th Gen. Hospital from 1942 until 1945. While in service she had been stationed at Ft. Bragg, N.C. 1942 - 1943 and had served in England with the 8th Air Force from 1943 to 1945. By the time of her discharge she had earned the rank of 1st Lt. Upon her discharge she had moved to the Phila. suburbs and had pursued her vocation in Nursing. Mrs. McDonnell had served at Presbyterian Hospital, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Bryn Mawr College Infirmary, Haverford State Hospital and as a Phila. School Nurse. She had been a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who in her quieter moments enjoyed sewing and crocheting. She had gained a reputation for making fine smocked dresses and was an avid reader of history. Mrs. McDonnell was surely one of those people who really made a difference and one who will be missed by those who knew and loved her. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband, John J. McDonnell in 1993; and a son, John J. McDonnell in 2004. She is survived by two sons, James C. McDonnell of Bethesda, Md., and Daniel O. McDonnell of Wallingford, Conn.; two daughters, Maureen A. Farley of Hummelstown, Pa., and Margaret E. Bray of Milford, Del.; a brother, Dr. Herbert L. Garris of Pine Hurst N.C.; 16 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, in Holy Cross Catholic Church, S. State St., Dover. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, Pa. Family suggests donations in her memory to Holy Cross Church 631 S. State St. Dover, De 19901. Life's End Services are by Michael J. Ambruso Funeral Director, Inc., Dover. Condolences and Guest Book Signings may be made via www.ambruso.com.