Diane Donnelly

Diane Donnelly of Vienna, VA passed away peacefully at INOVA Fairfax Hospital on May 23, 2021 with her children by her side. She was 83. Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend to many, she was cherished by all who knew her.

Born in 1937 in Lowville, NY to parents Francis and Irene (Keib) Thisse, Diane grew up in Manlius, NY and attended the State University of New York Teachers College at Potsdam, where she graduated with a BS in Elementary Education. While in college she met the love of her life, James Donnelly, who was attending nearby Clarkson University, and following graduation they married on August 22, 1959. They moved to Virginia a few years later, where she spent the remainder of her life.

Diane was a teacher and loved her 21 year teaching career in elementary education with the Fairfax County School system. She taught at Stenwood Elementary, the school her children attended growing up. She often ran into former students, who would always go up to her and ask “Do you remember me?” Of course she always did. Teaching was one of her passions and she loved all of her students.

Diane’s family and friends were very dear to her. She maintained very close friendships with many people who came into her life, including friends from high school, college and those she met in recent years. She enjoyed spending time at the beach, traveling, joining friends and family on fun getaways and singing in the OLGC church choir.

She is survived by her daughter Susan Cottrell (Stuart), son Timothy Donnelly (Jane), grandchildren Jennifer Cottrell, William Cottrell, Rebecca Cottrell and Elizabeth Donnelly, two great grandchildren, her sister, Annette Anderson (Joe) and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 44 years James Donnelly and son Kevin Michael Donnelly.

Visitation will be Monday, May 31st from 6:00pm –8:00pm in the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, Virginia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 1st at 11:00 am. Internment at Fairfax Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.