ORTONA – Glades County Commissioner Donna Storter Long died Dec. 1 at her home, following a long battle with cancer.

For nearly 20 years, she served as a Glades County Commissioner. She was appointed to the Glades County Commission in 2004 by Gov. Jeb Bush to fill the seat of a commissioner who resigned. She was elected to that seat in the next election and subsequently re-elected.

Funeral services will be held at Ortona Cemetery Pavilion on Dec. 7, 2023, at 10 a.m. At their Nov. 27 meeting, her fellow commissioners voted to name that pavilion in her honor.

“Donna Storter did so much for this county,” said Commissioner Jerry Sapp. “When that lady came to a meeting, she was prepared. I think she had a photographic memory. Anything you bring up, she knew a little bit about it.

“Back in 2000 when my father died, she wrote me a letter,” Sapp continued. “I still have that letter today. It still means a lot to me, from a dear friend. I know we had a few battles up here on this board, but that’s business.”

“Donna has been an asset for this county. She really and truly was and she is going to be missed,” said Sapp.

“As a new commissioner, I learned a lot from her. She asked all the questions I needed to answer but didn’t know how,” said Commissioner Hattie Taylor.

Donna was born July 8, 1948, in Fort Myers. Her parents were Vance Lee Storter and Birma Wamble Storter. She grew up in LaBelle and Ortona, living her entire life in Hendry and Glades counties. 

Throughout her career, she held employment in office management and financial accounting. 

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered the flags at the Glades County Courthouse in Moore Haven,the City Hall of LaBelle and the State Capitol in Tallahassee to be at half staff from sunrise to sunset on Dec. 6, in memory of Commissioner Donna Storter Long.

In a Dec. 5 memorandum, DeSantis wrote: "On Friday, Dec. 1, Glades County Commissioner Donna Storter Long passed away at the age of 75 following a long battle with cancer. She began serving as Glades County Commissioner in 2004, devoting herself to the good of her community for the past 19 years. She was known to be determined and passionate, and would fight fiercely for what she believed in. Commissioner Long will be remembered as a dedicated public servant for her community and the people of the state of Florida."

Glades County offices will be closed Thursday morning for the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in her honor and remembrance can be made to the Hope Development Department, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, Florida 33908.