WWAY Anchor dies after battle with cancer

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Donna Gregory, WWAY News Anchor, has passed after a battle against stage 4 lung cancer.

WWAY news confirmed Gregory died Tuesday, Nov. 19, as she was surrounded by loved ones.

Gregory was diagnosed with cancer in April 2024.

She joined WWAY in February 2019. Before her time there, she worked at WRAL, WNCN, and NBC News.

A memorial service has not been announced yet. WECT extends our heartfelt condolences to Gregory’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

Her children shared the following statement on Facebook:

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mom, Donna Hoerdemann. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, surrounded by her children: Sam, Callan, Avery, and Everett. She is also lovingly remembered by her cherished grandchildren, Hayes and Coley, and her daughter-in-law, Amanda, and son-in-law, Shane.

“Many of you know her as ‘Donna Gregory’. Her career was a testament to her passion for journalism. She was a trusted anchor at WWAY in Wilmington and WRAL in Raleigh, and she held esteemed roles with NBC News and MSNBC, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. We know her as ‘Mom’.

“To her children, she was so much more than the accomplishments listed in her career. She was the heart of every room she entered, always making everyone feel welcome and at ease. She could create a meal out of anything she found in the fridge, turning ordinary moments into something special. A genuine listener, she had a rare gift of making anyone she spoke with feel like the most important person in the world. Her loud whistle at sporting events could rival any cheerleader, and her love for musical theatre and playing instruments filled our home with life and joy. She somehow mastered folding a fitted sheet—proof of her magic in the little things—and approached life with an unshakable positivity and a sense of humor that carried us through any storm. We always knew we could count on her to drop everything for us, answer every question, and ground us in her strong faith and deep love for Jesus.

“Her final weeks, spent with us by her bedside, were filled with the same love and strength she shared her whole life—a beautiful testament to who she was and the legacy she leaves behind.

“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during her illness and look forward to expressing our gratitude personally in the days to come. At present, we are finalizing arrangements and will share updates regarding future plans soon.”