Donna Kay Rilee Ohmberger died unexpectedly on October 9, 2024 at her home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the “land of enchantment.” Kay was a Gloucester native and 1966 graduate of GHS. She worked at Morgan’s Drug Store during her high school days and had a special friendship with Harvey Morgan. In 1970, she graduated from Longwood College. She missed Woodstock but did manage to march on Washington in late ’60s during all the protests of the Vietnam war where brothers Cy and Buddy served. She was a hippie at heart. “Give Peace a Chance” was her mantra.
She began her teaching career as elementary school teacher in Newport News. In 1975, due to the rapid onset of RA (rheumatoid arthritis), she moved to Albuquerque to take advantage of the western climate. Her brother Cy was living there also at that time. After teaching for approximately 21 years, she retired due to her disability. Not one to sit around, she became involved with CASA as a (court appointed special advocate). She did this for 22 years. During that time, she received numerous awards and recognition. She was honored by Longwood College in 2001 with distinguished alumni community service award in recognition of her outstanding service to her community in Albuquerque. After 21 years of teaching elementary children, becoming a CASA was an easy decision. Her favorite thing about being a CASA was getting to know and connecting with the children and their families.
After retiring from CASA, she became a mediator for the New Mexico Children’s Court Mediation Program. She brought dedication and compassion to her role mediating cases for families involved with the child welfare system. She deeply cared about the work she did in the program and will be missed by her colleagues and friends. She was still working part-time at time of her death.
She was one who never complained despite her daily aches and pains. She was one tough lady with a heart of gold and will be missed by family and many friends. Her last visit to Gloucester was the summer of 2016. Traveling was hard for her. She was a big follower of UVA basketball and the “Better Call Saul” Breaking Bad TV series that was filmed in Albuquerque. She had met many of the actors and was very proud of the “Saul” bench she had acquired that was used in the TV program. Always a cat lover she is missed by her cats Cassidy and Tulip.
Kay was preceded in death by parents, Fleming and Kathleen Rilee, and sister, Janet Rilee Tavares. She is survived by brothers, Cy (Carolyn), Buddy (Mary) of Gloucester and Paul (Susan) of Williamsburg. She had a special relationship with nephew, Rus Rilee, and nieces, Amy Rilee and Amanda Sayles, along with two good friends, Moe Hickey and Frank Ohmberger of Albuquerque. They were a big help to her over the years.
The family plans to have a celebration of life at later date.