Mrs. Tillie McDonnell, 66, passed peacefully into the Lord’s eternal rest with her family at her side on Aug. 6, 2018. She was born to Edgele and Loretta Jones, who predeceased her, in Ashtabula, Ohio, and graduated from Harbor High School. She had five sisters Barbara, Tricia, Leslie, Donna, Jane and three brothers Ed, Randy, and Brian.
She married Jim McDonnell Jr. in 1977, a career U.S. Marine Corps officer and had three children Frank, Matt, and Larry.
Her family grew with daughters-in-law Shelley, Beth, and Andrea, and five grandchildren, Ryleigh, Reagan, Brayden, Liam, and Nolan. She also helped raise Jim McDonnell III, married to Rosemary, with daughters Simone and Nicole. She is also survived by her beloved mother-in-law, Anne.
As a devoted Marine wife, she moved around to include attending the Foreign Service Institute for languages prior to her husband’s assignment as a military attaché in Rome, Italy. She also was the secretary/treasurer for her husband’s post-military business. She served in the capacity of Chief of Elections in Accomack County for 10 years.
Known as a sports enthusiast and avid golfer, she enjoyed watching her Ohio sports teams as well as her sons’ participation in youth leagues, high school, college and professional sports. Known as Nana, she cherished her grandchildren, as they did her.
A Mass celebrating Mrs. McDonnell’s life with family and friends will be held for her at the Church of the Holy Family, 1279 N Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, on Aug.14, 2018, at 10 a.m. A private internment will be held at the Princess Anne Memorial Park in Virginia Beach. A private viewing for family will be held at H.D. Oliver Funeral Home. Online condolences can be offered at www.hdoliver.com
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.
