Doris O’Donnell Jellig

Doris O’Donnell Jellig of Virginia Beach passed away on June 21, 2024 with gratitude to her Lord and family for over 81 years of love and grace spent doing exactly what she intended to do with her time on Earth. Doris was born in Brooklyn on November 12, 1942 to Charles O’Donnell and Doris Egan, raised on Long Island, and it was there at St. Thomas the Apostle School in 7th grade where she met twelve-year-old Donald Vincent Jellig, who courted her under the watchful eyes of the nun-led faculty. Doris graduated Cabrini College and St. John’s University, with a marriage to Don in between- wherein she proposed to him via Western Union telegram on February 29, 1964 – and their 58-year marriage led them around the country but never apart.

Eldest child Janice (Lear) was born in Rockville Centre, NY, and it was shortly thereafter when their first move to Hampton Roads began and Jerry Jellig was born at the Langley A.F.B. Hospital, where Lieutenant Don Jellig was a hospital administrator. Jeanne (Alhusen), Joyce (Bednarek), and Jennifer (Freeman) soon followed, and their eventual family of 7 traversed the country following Don’s information technology career: Newport News, Harrisburg PA, with a short stop in Dallas (but long enough to form a lifelong bond with the Cowboys), Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, long stay in Schenectady, NY, and back to Virginia Beach for good in 1986, teaching high school and college English at nearly every stop. In 1986 Sentara brought husband Don to Virginia Beach, and Doris returned to Tidewater Community College as an English professor, and two years later was appointed full time faculty. She taught another 27 years at TCC, building relationships with thousands of students, serving as assistant Division Chair, and leading one of the very first study abroad courses, returning to Ireland over a dozen times with students (and Don). Upon retirement, Doris was honored as a Professor Emeritus and was intensely proud of what Tidewater Community College has become for her community.

She was extremely grateful for her over four decades of teaching, but her favorite students were her 5 children, whom she marinated in a culture of love, Ireland and the Irish, Catholic service and decency, Happy Hours, travel, great books, and an unflinching devotion to family and country. When it appeared she couldn’t be any happier or more grateful, the first of her 20 grandchildren arrived, and things really got going! Doris and Don were undefeated- every Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, high school and college graduations were gleefully attended and commemorated, and surely toasted at a Jellig Happy Hour. Those 20 humans, from a 3rd year law school student to a kindergartener, love their Granny and believe her to be the greatest, and for us, she was simply that. A great and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, active in and supportive of multiple church parishes; in particular, Ascension, where lasting friendships were made, the community of St. Luke’s, both in Virginia Beach and St. Agnes in Lake Placid, NY.

Doris is predeceased by brother James O’Donnell, survived by her husband and “Prince” Don, sisters and dearest friends Marilyn Faherty (Fred), of Acton, MA and Joyce Bussewitz (Roy), of Wilmington, NC, Russ Jellig of Vista, CA, nieces and nephews and her so named “Fab 5” – children Janice Lear, Jerry (Julie), Jeanne (Philipp) Alhusen, Joyce (Robert) Bednarek, and Jennifer (James) Freeman. She is not so much survived, as she is manifested- mind, body, heart and soul- in grandchildren Holly, Maggie, Jack, Bridget, Lindsay, Conor, Maria, Charlie, Shane, Casey, Donnie, Katie, Patrick, Archie, Annie, Nellie, Max, Bella, Teddy, and Henry.

The visitation is scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2024, from 5-7 PM at Smith and Williams Funeral Home, 4889 Princess Anne Rd. Virginia Beach. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 11 AM, at the Church of the Ascension, 4853 Princess Anne Rd. Virginia Beach, followed by a reception for all in the Ascension Community Center. Burial is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Ascension Social Ministry Program, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or a charity of your choice. You may offer condolences at smithandwilliamskempsville.com

Cheers to a wonderful educator, community member, and friend to all. We miss you terribly.