Ella Tyndall McDonnell

On July 19, 2024, Ella “Bootsie” McDonnell passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a brief illness. Ella was the biological mother of two children, Linda and Karl, but many friends and family considered her a loving mother-figure in their lives. She offered motherly nurture, care, comfort, counsel, and companionship as a loving expression of her true character and bond with her chosen family. Ella is survived by her two adult children, Linda (Tom) of Florida, NY and Karl (Nikki) of Great Falls, VA, her “baby brother” Steve Tyndall (Jane), seven devoted grandchildren (Peter, Ethan, Michael, Olivia, Samuel, Nate, and Eli), her nieces (Donna, Carol, Trisha, Tammy, Stacey, and Amy), her nephews (Eddie and Mike), many cousins, great nephews, great nieces, and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Raymond John McDonnell (1994), her father Edward Earl Tyndall and her mother Dorothy Lassiter Tyndall, brothers Edward Earl Tyndall Jr and Donald Tyndall, her sisters-in law Viola Mae (Edward Earl) and Rose (Donald), and her nephew Forrest Tyndall. Ella loved her family deeply. Born the 3rd of 4 children in 1939 in Hampton, she spent her younger years growing up in Yorktown. Young Ella devotedly helped her own mother care for her father through his cancer battle until he passed in 1954. Ella, her mother, and youngest brother then returned to Hampton. Ella and Steve were especially devoted to one another during her lifetime, as she helped raise her “baby brother” while her mother worked as a single parent to support their small family and he looked in on her often during her golden years. Ella graduated from Hampton High School in 1957. She met her husband of 31 years, Raymond John McDonnell while both were working at the Veteran’s Hospital in the Kecoughtan section of Hampton. They married in 1963 and lived their entire union happily together in their home on Charlton Drive in the Riverdale section of Hampton, where they raised Linda and Karl. After devoting her life to her children as a fulltime mother, Ella returned to work at the Veteran’s Administration in Hampton when they entered Junior High School. She retired from the VA after almost another 20 years of civil service. Once she retired, Ella passionately dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to the Sentara Careplex Hospital Auxiliary. Along with her friends, she founded and helped lead a highly successful golf tournament fundraiser created by the Auxiliary. She served for a time as the President of the Sentara Careplex Hospital Auxiliary, raising thousands of dollars and making enduring connections and friendships along the way. A lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church and faithful Christian, she loved her Sunday School class, serving on various committees, and singing in nursing homes. She returned to Yorktown in her retirement and became an active member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church until her death. After becoming legally blind from macular degeneration, she voluntarily stopped driving, and especially loved her weekly trips out with her driver Sarene and her frequent walks, calls, and meals with her friend Betsy. The family wishes to express our deep appreciation to Jennifer, her Choose Home Coordinator for her help and loving support and especially to the Riverside Health SICU nurses, Dr. Javier Amadeo, and Dr. Dan Alexandru Silaghi who provided exceptional care to our mother during the final week of her life. Ella loved her rescue cat Tiki fiercely and, in that spirit, donations in her memory may be made to the Poquoson Animal Welfare Sanctuary (PAWS) PO Box 2204, Poquoson, VA 23662. Alternatively, memorial donations supporting the choir and children’s ministries may be made to Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 831 Poquoson Avenue, Poquoson, VA 23662.