Delores Ann Gillgren

Delores Ann Gillgren, age 72, passed away on January 5, 2026. Born in Norfolk, VA, she was a longtime resident of Chesapeake, VA, and most recently made her home at Kerr Lake in North Carolina. Delores grew up in Virginia Beach on North Landing Road and was a 1971 graduate of Kellam High School. Delores was preceded in death by her father, Ira McClement Teachey, her mother, Annie Louise Teachey, and grandson, Joshua Luo Gillgren.

Delores leaves behind her devoted husband of 53 years, James Gillgren, sister Patricia Smith (Dale) of New York, and her three loving children: Kim Day (Sean) of Chesapeake, Kris Gillgren (Ellen) of Suffolk, and Kelly England (Steve) of Elgin, SC. She was the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her immense joy.

Delores was a long-time employee of Chesapeake Public Schools, working at Oscar Smith Middle School, and retired in 2016. After retiring, she enjoyed traveling with James to their other homes in Bramwell, West Virginia and Zephyrhills, Florida.

Delores had a gift for bringing people together. She loved being surrounded by family and friends, and she found her greatest happiness in the sunshine and on the water. Many of her most cherished days were spent on Kerr Lake, where she and James created a lifetime of memories with their children and grandchildren—swimming, skiing, tubing, boating, and savoring every moment of laughter and light. Her presence made even the simplest days feel special.

The family invites friends to a time of visitation on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 12 noon - 1 p.m. at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk. Family and friends will gather to honor her memory and the joy she brought to all who knew her in a celebration of her life to begin at 1 p.m. following the visitation.