Mary Ellen Woolley

Mary Ellen Woolley was taken from this life to her eternal home in heaven on August 15, 2026. She was born April 6, 1938 in Cherrydale, VA to Thomas Norris and Lucille Cullers and spent her childhood in a small hamlet called Oak Hill near Luray, VA.

In her late teens, she met the love of her life, George J. Woolley, Jr. and they married in 1955. They were the parents of two children, George J. Woolley, Ill, and Theresa Colleen Woolley. Mary Ellen always had a passion for music, both playing the piano and singing, and no matter where they settled due to George's Navy career, she always sang in the church choir. When her children were small, she directed a children's choir before moving to Williamsburg in 1965 where they lived their remaining years. Mary Ellen loved the Lord and was a friend you could count on to pray anytime and anywhere.

She had the wisdom and determination it took to raise her totally blind daughter beginning with teaching herself how to read braille so she could then help teach her daughter to read. She was the best listener and always willing to help and give loving advice when needed. She was a true caregiver to whoever needed her, and at one point worked at Williamsburg Landing as a CNA and was very engaged in helping with the activities for the residents with dementia. She was the kindest and most compassionate person and the best mom in the world. She will be so very missed but always close in thoughts and hearts.

Mary Ellen is survived by her daughter, Theresa Colleen Ollice and her husband Bruce, her sister-in-law, Margaret Woolley, and many much loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is predeceased by her parents, husband, son and his wife Tiara, and many precious family members and friends. We give special heartfelt thanks to Darlene Davis and other kind caregivers who helped us care for mom as long as possible at home, as well as for the compassion and care she received from all staff at Edgeworth Park Memory Care in Williamsburg and Medihospice Home Health.

A visitation will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, Friday, August 21 2026 from 12:30 to 1:30 followed directly by a service after which burial will take place at Williamsburg Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mary Ellen may be made to The Alzheimer's Association: Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or East Side Church, 473 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg, VA 23185.