Donna Renee (Means) McSherry

Donna McSherry, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, and the head of our McSherry household, passed away on Wednesday, March 3, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Donna was born April 27, 1957, in Tucson, Arizona to Barbara (England) Means and Carl Thomas “Tommy” Means. As the eldest of five siblings, Donna earned her trademark conscientiousness and sense of compassion even before earning her first report card.

Her father’s job caused her family to move frequently during her childhood, and Donna was her mother’s right-hand in keeping the roving, rambunctious household in line. A true child of the American Southwest, Donna called multiple towns across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas home before the family settled permanently in Deming.

When Donna stepped off the school bus on her first day at Deming High School, she found yet another permanence: she had caught the eye of a football player as he ran morning drills on the Wildcat’s JV squad. David McSherry took his eyes off the ball that day, but he never took his eyes off Donna.

The couple married in October 1975, and Donna quickly learned that she had the innate grit and resilient spirit perfectly suited for life on the McSherry family farm. She was bookish and may not have been a star athlete, but as it turned out…she sure could drive the heck out of a feed truck and worked hard to keep the cattle fed.

In fact, Donna seemed drawn to vehicles as big and bold as her personality. Many knew her best as a school bus driver for M&T Buses. One would not expect this to be a job to take home with you, but Donna made it so. She collected toy model school buses and displayed them on her mantel.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, David McSherry of Deming; eldest daughter, Tommie McSherry and husband Greg Spitz of Socorro, N.M.; grandson Gavin Spitz of Albuquerque, N.M., and granddaughter Addison Spitz of Socorro, N.M.; youngest daughter Joli McSherry of Deming (and grand-dog Dante); and her great nephews and great niece, whom she helped raise as her own: Derrick Hull, Jacob Hull – both of Phoenix, A.Z. –and Danielle Hull of Deming. Donna is also survived by her younger sisters, Mary Hull of Deming and Keeley Means of Safford, A.Z.; younger brother Obie Means (Darcy) of Deming; her father Tommy Means (Linda) of Socorro, N.M.; and her beloved canine companions Maisy, Dingo, and Jackson.

Donna is preceded in death by her mother, Barbara Means, and younger brother, Franklin “Bent” Means, along with some favorite furry friends including Brutus, Macho, Sancho, Cosmo, Wanda, and Duke.

A celebration of life was held privately by the family. In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you donate in Donna’s name to your favorite non-profit helping animals in need, such as the Luna County Humane Society, Deming Animal Guardians, or the ASPCA. Cremation has been entrusted to Baca’s Mimbres Crematory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna Renee (Means) McSherry, please visit our floral store.