Jersey Girl Donna Fox lovingly recalls her hometown of Marlton, NJ as she reminsces in Remember the 80’s, Jersey Girl. The photos, memorabilia, and artwork in this memoir represent relatable moments in her life from 1978-1992. This is the second book in the collection of Jersey Girl children’s books that Donna is creating in hopes that her works will spark discussion and memories in her readers, and that they will see a piece of themselves and their past in the character of Jersey Girl…no matter which state they are from. Both Jersey Girl books have a common thread of GIFTS and THANKFULNESS, and both give back to our communities by benefitting a local related charity. Donna was thrilled to work with Steve Lingle, her Cherokee High School homeroom friend, as her graphic designer for this book, and she is thankful to her brother, Danny, for living the 80’s right by her side.
Born Donna Lynskey in Hackensack, New Jersey, Donna Fox is a special education teacher of 17 years who stepped away from her love of teaching at Readington Middle School to raise her son with all of that love. Her specialty while there was language arts, and she has been a writer of cards, letters, and journals since she was a little girl. Donna has always enjoyed fine papers, stationery, and the smell of a bookstore. Raised in the charming South Jersey town of Marlton, English was her favorite subject at both Cherokee High School and at Trenton State College.
Donna’s joyful summer vacation memories as a child took place in Wildwood Crest at the Port Royal Hotel, and those family vacations still continue today. During her single years, Donna was a waitress for three summers at The Columns on the beach in Avon-by-the-Sea and lived at the Manchester Inn Bed and Breakfast in Ocean Grove. She then met and married her husband, Brad, and celebrated their first dance with his fitting song choice of “Jersey Girl.” Donna enjoyed two more summers at the Columns as a Jersey shore waitress, and soon the couple welcomed their most special blessing, a baby boy.
Today, Donna, Brad, and their son have started a new tradition of family summer vacations in Ocean Grove where “Down the shore everything’s all right.” Donna’s fond memories of the Jersey shore combined with her favorite pastime of reading to her son have served as the inspiration for her to write Jersey Girl, a joyful combination of past and present. The Fox Family resides in North Jersey where they enjoy the beauty of yet another special town complete with library, bookstore, restaurants, shops, parks, schools, and church.