Marilyn Ann McDonnell

With great sadness our family mourns the loss of our beloved, Marilyn Ann McDonnell, 89, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2025 in Virginia Beach, Virginia surrounded by the love of her family. Marilyn was a loving wife, mother to 3 children, grandmother to 7 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 5 great-grandchildren.

Born on March 9, 1936 in Boston, Massachusetts to Wilfred and Sarah Hotin, Marilyn attended St. John’s Catholic School from grammar school through high school, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, graduating in 1954. Upon graduation Marilyn worked briefly in an office position at Boston Logan Airport. She later worked for Hardware Mutual Insurance Company in the Park Square section of Boston and Orion Research in Sullivan Square, Charlestown, MA. In 1954 Marilyn met the love of her life, William Richard McDonnell at the Boston Ice Skating Club. They married on November 11, 1956 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Marilyn spent the next several years raising their children, Rickey, Diane and Stephen, dedicating her time to volunteering for various school committees where all three attended catholic school, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, volunteered for the Cambridge Election Commission for 5 years, belonged to The Catholic Daughter’s Organization, and the St. John’s Guild Club. It was not unusual for Marilyn to get up before dawn on snowy or rainy days to help her son and daughter with their newspaper routes. In her later years Marilyn worked at the Harvard Gazette (a division of Harvard University’s news and information outlet for the students), and becoming the Office Manager after several years.

Family vacations were a must every summer whether it be to the mountains in New Hampshire or beaches on Cape Cod where many fun memories were had. In the early 80’s they made South Dennis, Cape Cod their permanent summer home where they hosted numerous family and friends to enjoy summer weekends at their favorite beaches (Corporation, Sea Street and West Dennis Beach to name a few) and lots of fun nights visiting local family attractions. Easter and the numerous April birthdays in the family were almost always celebrated at “The Cape” where Easter Egg Hunts were held after Sunday Mass and brunch usually at “Christine’s”. “Nana”, as all the grandkids affectionately call her, always had a way of making Easter very special and loved spoiling her grandchildren. Summer weekends were very structured, everyone was up and at ‘em to be at the beach by 9 a.m.! After a full day at the beach, off to Saturday Mass and a mad rush to get to their favorite restaurant for the early bird special. Nana went shopping every Saturday night, most times shopping for sales to add to her extensive wardrobe, as well as, getting an early start on her Christmas shopping. After retirement, they became snowbirds enjoying warm winters in Boynton Beach, Florida where they made many friends, and it was not unusual for them to host large Easter and especially Christmas gatherings in their festive home (inside and out), and were the organizers for entertainment, games and dinner functions at the Clubhouse in their “Green Tree Villas” neighborhood. In 2019 they sold their beloved Cape Cod home to become year-round residents in Florida. In addition to being known as “Beach Bums” Marilyn and Bill were avid cruisers. After their first cruise in 1989, they were forever hooked and started with an annual cruise, turning into two or more per year. They enjoyed over 32 cruises, enjoying a few with family members.

In 2022 they decided to move closer to family, relocating to Virginia Beach, Virginia, living the last three years at Discovery Commons Assisted Living facility (formerly Atria) where they enjoyed having their son, daughter in law and three of their grandchildren nearby. “Nana” was able to enjoy many special visits from their other children and families where many cherished memories were made.

Marilyn is survived by her loving husband William of 68 years, her son Richard “Rickey” McDonnell (Vicki) of Nashua, NH; Diane Cowles (Rusty) of Bath, NH; Stephen McDonnell (Lori) of Virginia Beach, VA. She is also survived by her seven loving grandchildren, Jeffrey McDonnell (Anamarie) of Maricopa, AZ; Jennifer Jette (Christopher) of Nashua, NH; Karen Bellidoro (R.J.), Kevin Cowles all of Bath, NH; Kaitlin McDonnell (Zach), Christopher McDonnell (Shea) all of Virginia Beach, VA; Megan McDonnell (Jacob) of Kissimmee, FL, as well as, 5 great grandchildren, Emily, Remy, Colt, Kennedy and Rowan.

A funeral Mass is planned for September 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m at The Church of the Holy Family located at 1279 N. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach, VA. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the many caregivers at Discovery Commons, as well as, Nest Sr. Services, and Suncrest Hospice for the loving and compassionate care to Marilyn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.