Jerilyn "Jeri" Smith Gormley

Jeri was born in Medford, Oregon, to Jerry and Sylvia Smith on May 31, 1942. She attended Medford schools and was active in academic and social activities. After graduating from Oregon State University in 1964, Jeri began her teaching career as a 4th grade teacher in Sunnyvale, California. In 1967, she joined the Department of Defense (DOD) Schools System and was assigned as a 4th grade teacher at the Army’s Frankfurt Elementary #1 in Germany. In Frankfurt, Jeri met her future husband Kevin Gormley who was working in Frankfurt for the Department of State.

Jeri and Kevin were married on June 17, 1970, in Alexandria, Virginia. Jeri worked for Alexandria schools and was a 7th grade math teacher at John Adams Middle School. Later, she became a Long and Foster Realtor.

Jeri was an avid bridge player in college and throughout her career. Her Leewood Forest Bridge club met for over 50 years. Jeri was an active member of the Fox Hunt Swim Club, the South Run Recreation Association and the Winston Knolls Garden Club. Jeri enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinners with family and friends.

Jeri enjoyed traveling and visiting people and new places. After graduating from college, Jeri drove her VW Beetle with her friend Nancy all around Europe for 3 months. This trip inspired her love of travel and led to her teaching in Europe. Jeri and Kevin visited all 50 states and many countries. Her favorite places were Hawaii, Germany, and Australia. She liked hiking at Burke Lake and National Parks, the beach, museums, and water aerobics. Jeri most-of-all enjoyed being with family and friends at casual parties and backyard picnics.

Jeri is preceded in death by her parents Jerry and Sylivia Smith and her sister Sidney Archer.

Jeri is survived by her husband Kevin E. Gormley, her sons Robert Gormley and Kevin J. Gormley, daughters-in-law Kari Gormley and Maureen Klovers, grandson William Gormley, granddaughter Kathleen Gormley, and nieces Janet Hamlin and Sandra Pfeil.

A Memorial Gathering will be from 3-6 PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Demaine Funeral Home in Springfield, Virginia.

Funeral services will be held at Nativity Catholic Church at 10:00 AM on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Burial will follow at a later date in Quantico National Cemetery, Virginia. Arrangements are by Demaine Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society for cancer research or to Operation Starfish care of Nativity Catholic Church, Burke, Virginia.