Monica Jane Dodd, 45, passed away peacefully with her loved ones surrounding her after a courageous & valiant battle with cancer on April 1, 2023.
Monica was born on August 11, 1977 to Eddie and Sheryl Nikolas in Bremerton, Washington.
Monica was an amazing woman, wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, and friend. She graduated from Princess Anne High School in 1995 where she was a member of the field hockey team. She went on to Virginia Wesleyan College where she earned her teaching degree and graduated from Averett University with her Master’s degree.
She taught at Fairlawn Elementary in Norfolk, where she was named Teacher of the Year. Seven years ago, she transferred to Brookwood Elementary in Virginia Beach, where she was named Reading Teacher of the Year. She remained at Brookwood until the time of her illness. Countless children benefited from being taught by her. For several years she coached Girls on the Run at Brookwood. She also participated yearly in the Shamrock Marathon at the beach along with her friends. She was an avid walker every morning before school. She was a loving mother and her two children meant everything to her. Monica was loved by everyone who knew her and will be missed deeply.
She was preceded in death by her father, Eddie Nikolas.
Left to cherish her loving memory are her husband Jeffrey “Jeff” Dodd; daughter, Ryan; son, Ethan; brother, Jason Nikolas (Kelly); mother, Sheryl Nikolas; and step-father Lynwood Hardy; special niece Brooke Nikolas; step father-in-law Robert Ring; and sister-in-law Jennifer Dodd; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins and a host of friends that she considered family.
A celebration of Life will be held for Monica at Altmeyer Funeral Home Southside Chapel (5033 Rouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23462) on Saturday, April 8 at 4 p.m. Condolences may be left here.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Monica’s campaigns here.
