Kaylah Walton
Donna Gregory, a seasoned journalist from North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, surrounded by her family after a lengthy battle with cancer.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished and long-serving news anchor, Donna Gregory, who was with her loved ones,” stated WWAY3, the local news station where she served for many years.
Reportedly, Gregory succumbed to lung cancer, which had advanced to stage 4 by April. Throughout her diagnosis, she candidly shared her journey with cancer on social media. In a poignant message from April, she discussed her terminal diagnosis, which followed a biopsy confirming cancer after she experienced “months of tests to identify the cause of ongoing cough, breathlessness, fatigue, and weight loss”.
At that time, she expressed: “I’ll be taking time off to follow my treatment plan as directed by my doctors. My goal is to grow stronger and healthier day by day, and your prayers are always appreciated.” She also remarked on finding “a silver lining in all of this” and expressed gratitude towards her “angels in disguise as friends” and family. Despite the dire prognosis she faced since April, Gregory confronted her illness with remarkable strength, undergoing immunotherapy and chemotherapy while being recognized as “a source of hope and inspiration,” according to WWAY 3.
Honoring Donna Gregory’s Legacy
Throughout her career, Donna Gregory was a guiding force for aspiring journalists and a supportive colleague in the newsroom. She initially joined WWAY 3 in 2019 to temporarily fill in for anchor Randy Aldridge, who was also battling cancer, and ultimately became a permanent anchor due to her poise on camera.
“Her absence creates a void that cannot be filled by words,” expressed the station, announcing plans for a live tribute in her honor. “For now, we grieve her loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Donna Gregory will be greatly missed,” the station concluded.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Gregory’s children shared that while her audience recognized her for her professionalism, “to us, she was far more than a list of career achievements,” they stated.
