VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach City Public Schools and the community is mourning the loss of Dorothy Ann Myers.
Myers, who was 64, died on December 21 from COVID-19 complications, her family and friends confirmed to 10 On Your Side. She served the school system for 30 years as a physical education assistant.
“Most of her service was at Glenwood Elementary, an amazing, kind-hearted, extremely hard working and dependable teacher assistant who was loved by all the children and staff,” her online obituary reads.
Principal David French sent the following letter in memory of Myers to Glenwood families and the community.
“Good evening, Glenwood Elementary School families —
“It is with great sorrow that we report the death of Dorothy “Dottie” Myers, who served us as a physical education assistant since Glenwood opened in 1990. She was truly beloved by all of our staff and students at Glenwood, and will be very missed. Our hearts and sympathy are with the Myers family.
“We will have additional counselors available to our students in the coming days. If you have any concerns about your child’s reaction to this loss, please contact his or her teacher, any counselor or administrator here at the school.
“This is certainly a sad time for us, so I ask that you keep this family and our Glenwood community in your thoughts. Thank you for your support of Glenwood Elementary School.“
Jessica Owens, part of the Virginia Beach School Board, later posted to Facebook saying:
“I am so very saddened by the loss of one of our VBCPS family, Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Myers. While I did not have the opportunity to know her, I know she was a part of the sisterhood of those who choose to love and serve our children, to shape the future and give of themselves to care for the smallest among us. In her many years with us, she touched the lives of so many children, families and staff.
“My heart is with her family and the Glenwood family. While she is no longer with us here, her legacy will continue in the lives of all the children whose lives she touched.“
Myers is survived by her loving husband of 40 years Tom; daughter Jennifer Myers and partner Amy Ackerman of Chesapeake, Virginia; brother Thomas Flynn and his wife Liz of Rotunda, Florida; nephew Ryan Flynn of Pensacola, Florida, and cousins Richard Reilly, Laura Reilly and Karen Coppolella.
To read memories from friends and family, click here.
“She was really one of the most caring people I’ve ever met,” said former Glenwood assistant principal Shirley Haywood. “Her demeanor around the kids was always one in which she tried to understand kids. She was never quick to punish or try to find fault in what they were doing. Her approach was to bring calmness to a difficult situation.”
10 On Your Side spoke with Haywood via phone on Monday. She says Myers was a positive force within school walls.
“She’s a great person,” Haywood said. “She’s going to be really missed there. You know a lot of children, I’m sure, are probably going to be very saddened to hear this.”