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Donna Gleason O’Neill
Donna Gleason O’Neill
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Donna O’Neill Obituary
Donna graduated summa cum laude from the Georgetown University School of Linguistics and received her Masters in Education from George Mason University. For 29 years Donna combined her passions for science and language as an ESL science teacher at Fairfax County's Luther Jackson Middle School where she was loved and admired by her students and co-workers.
Naturally curious and an avid reader, Donna's insatiable appetite for learning resulted in a great appreciation for cultures and cuisines; as well
numerous interests including crocheting, pottery, soccer, swimming, and yoga. Then she met pickleball !!!
Donna's pride and joy was family first with special attention to grandchildren. Truly a loving wife, mom, and Gigi, already missed by all.
The family may announce a memorial service at a future date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Fran Howley
March 7, 2024
I met Donna several years ago on the pickleball court here in Minneapolis. She was always smiling, friendly and played a darned good game!!
Trish Heatherly
March 5, 2024
Donna was the type of person who made the world a better place just because she was in it. I worked with Donna at Jackson from 2011-16. She was kind, personable, logical, with not a pretentious bone in her body. If I ran into Donna while having a bad day, I knew it would get better after a quick chat with her. She didn't have to go out of her way to make me feel better or lay any wisdom on me, she was just a really good person. Although we were not close, I will miss all the good I know she was spreading in the world.
Sulekha Subhash
March 5, 2024
Donna was my next door neighbor (so to speak) when I first joined Luther Jackson Middle School in 2006. She was a pillar of support and comfort during that difficult first year. She was passionate about teaching and a strong advocate for her students. Her positive demeanor and zest for life was inspirational! May her soul Rest in Peace!
Sincerely,
Sulekha Subhash
Lori Chaplin
February 29, 2024
My favorite memories are sitting poolside at the BCRC pool where we spent hours chatting; learning pickleball from Donna - she was a great teacher! - and then playing pickleball every day through Covid. I will forever smile when I do laundry and the dryer balls bounce around. I cherish my dishtowel that Donna embroidered with a pickleball. She is forever in my heart.
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Nancy Waxler
February 29, 2024
Donna and I started out as "summer friends". We hung out at the pool, shared our stories about school, laughed, and gossipped. When Covid hit, we began playing pickleball. Donna was a natural athlete. We had many laughs and so much fun. During the last 4 years, we have become quite close. Donna will always be my "forever" friend.
I will miss you, dear friend.
Virginia Smart
February 29, 2024
Donna was a wonderful teacher who was loved by her students and taught them well. She´ll be missed by many. Virginia Smart
Barbara Brown
February 28, 2024
I joined the ESOL team at Luther Jackson Middle School in 2002. Donna was very warm and welcoming from Day 1. She was a dedicated, creative teacher and respected by all. I was always impressed by how much she read and kept active in many sports, even when she got sick. I will miss her. I wish I had been able to play Pickleball with her. I know we would´ve had fun.
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