Velma Bodee McDonough, 89, a creative soul who loved the Lord, passed away Monday, April 8, 2019, in Williamsburg surrounded by her family.
She was born April 4, 1930, in Decatur, Illinois, to Irving Bodenheimer, a photographer and retail salesman, and Bernita McKinley Bodee, a Vaudeville singer and dancer, in the Roaring Twenties on the Pantages Circuit, U.S. Her namesake, Aunt Velma McKinley, continued with McKinley Dance Studio featuring young Velma’s dance debut at age three. “Totsie” (her family nickname) and her brother, Robert Ian Bodee, who preceded her in death; and cousins, Millicent, Serge and Manon, entertained returning troops with the USO in Miami, Florida in 1945.
Mrs. McDonough earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Barry College, Miami, Florida; a Master’s Degree in Religious Education from Fordham University; and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University, New York, at the age of 60.
She was loved by her six children, Mary Jo (deceased) (Michael), Margie (Joe), Stephen, Richard (Robin), Theresa (Todd) and Norah (David). She had 13 beloved grandchildren, Jennifer (David), Rachel (Jere), Richard, Christopher (Alexis), Emilie, Heidi (Jon), Benny, Drew, Nora, Aidan, Tyler, Jonathan and Maggie; and great-grandchildren, Noah, Derek, Meredith, Abigail, John and Kevin. Velma also leaves behind beloved sister-in-law, Louise Bodee, and her children, Bobby, (deceased) Anne, Lisa and Ray. Her beloved friends are many, but especially Pat, Al, Margie and her church family across the Body of Christ.
Velma started reading at the age of three, launching her love for books that lasted a lifetime. Her personal library contained over 300 books cataloged via Dewey Decimal system! Velma loved to read murder mysteries and the Bible. Her intelligence prompted skipping both fourth and sixth grades, so that she graduated high school at age 16. Velma loved to write and authored a self-published book, Mary Remembers, reflections on the life of Jesus through a mother’s perspective.
Vel’s love for dance, inspired by “The McKinley Sisters,” brought her to New York City to The School of American Ballet, where she studied dance. She lived in Patchogue, New York, with her “Auntie Maggie” McKinley Howell, where she met her husband, Stephen McDonough, at a CYO Dance. Velma produced and directed numerous arts/dance programs in Patchogue prior to raising their children in Massapequa Park, New York. Velma’s earliest memory as a preschooler was in the Catholic Church where she encountered the presence of Jesus in her life. This experience would carry throughout her days, and into her work in the Rockville Centre, New York, Diocese where she retired after 20 years of service as a director of religious education. “Mrs. Mac” served at both St. Rose of Lima, Massapequa, and Cure of Ars in Merrick, New York. Mom’s favorite contribution was her work with high school students with the introduction of Antioch retreats to help young people encounter Jesus. Velma’s creativity included proficiency in the following crafts: needlepoint, cross stitch, knitting, crocheting, sewing clothes, costumes, upholstery, curtains and drapes and hooking rugs. She was unafraid to try any craft and was gifted in all she did. Velma loved helping people.
Velma volunteered at Letisha House, a local Williamsburg safe house for abused women and became the house “grandma” to encourage the residents on their journey to wholeness. Velma has lived all over the eastern United States: Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, New York, Delaware and Virginia and was always willing to embrace a challenge, pioneer a new territory. She was an intelligent, gifted woman with a creative soul and a heart for the Lord. Near the end of her life, she longed to “be with her Jesus.” Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, “rise up and call her blessed” as one who “loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind and strength.” We are sure she is on the dance team in heaven!
Velma’s family will receive guests for visitation from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 13, at the Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, April 14, at River Baptist Church, 4931 Centerville Road, Williamsburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations will be received for the Latisha’s House Foundation, P.O. Box 5817, Williamsburg, VA 23188.
Share online condolences with the family at Nelsen Funeral Home.
