Meet JoAnn Donahue 

Realtor ® Dorothy Phillips and Company-BHHS Fox and Roach- 

Ocean City NJ  & The Jersey Shore 

 JoAnn Donahue's Story 

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Hey! Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get to know each other. 

I have had a fire in my belly to reach far and wide my entire life. 

Growing up in Absecon, NJ, 15 miles west of Atlantic City, known as the world's playground on the Jersey Shore and home to my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. 

My history on the shore and offshore runs deep.  My great-grandfather had one of the first awning shops on Atlantic Ave. in Atlantic City, NJ.  Both my parents went to Atlantic City High School. 

As a child, I spent a lot of time with my mother's parents in Margate NJ and visiting my great grandparents in their Atlantic City home. 

My grandfather, who I adored, was a great storyteller, and a master carpenter; he built the original steeple (which was torn down 6 years ago) for the Margate Community Church. 

He built their home on N. Rumson Ave. in Margate NJ, and took good care of my grandmother, who had multiple sclerosis.  And she was a firecracker. 

I also spent time with my Aunt and Uncle, my father's sister, in Northfield, NJ. We would go to 2nd Ave. beach in Ocean City and the boardwalk amusements for many years.

The Jersey Shore has been my home forever.  

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Being a child, growing up in the 60s & 70's had its great pleasures, but there was heaviness of heart. 

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My mother raised my siblings and me on a waitress tips and an occasional win at bingo, her favorite pastime. We didn't have much, yet we had what we needed. We fought like cats and dogs making our own way and are stuck like glue today. 

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My father left when I was six months old and never looked back. We were the only family in our neighborhood without both parents. This lent to a lot of judgment from those on the outside looking in.

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It was hurtful; however, it did birth my empathy for others. 

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I struggled with confidence trying to balance my personal ups and downs and my big dreams, all the while understanding others' perspectives and being their cheerleader. This gave me a sense of great purpose and 

only fueled my belly fire. 

Fast forward, I got started in real estate 23 years ago after working in a friendly, upscale hair salon as the salon coordinator. I loved the atmosphere, the clients, witnessing the transformations; yet I still yearned to do more.

A client said to me " you are in the wrong business, get your real estate license and I will get you a job" 

I thought I am not getting any younger and maybe just maybe I can build my own business and finally work 

owning my own time giving my family all I desired to give. 

The rest is history! 

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I am married 43 years, we have 3 grown children and 6 grands. These humans are my world.

I am grateful; I am in an industry that not only feeds my soul connecting, serving, and getting the best possible results for homeowners in Ocean City, NJ. and along the Jersey shore. I am also doubly blessed because I am able to be the cheerleader and the hands-on wife, mother, and grammy for my family too! 

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