Jeffrey Donnelly Obituary

Jeffrey L. Donnelly passed away quietly at his home on June 3rd , 2025, surrounded by his wife of 37 years and his two adult children. He was 72 years old.

Jeff was born in Springfield, Illinois on October 1st , 1952, to Glen Donnelly and Georgia Pappas Donnelly. Glen was a butcher by trade and Georgia a dutiful homemaker. Jeff completed the family, joining a slightly older sister Debbie. Growing up, he attended Catholic schools up through his high school graduation, then went on to briefly attend Southern Illinois University before moving back home and marrying his high school girlfriend Susan. The two then left the cold North for Honolulu Hawaii, and were soon blessed with twin children, Josh and Rene Donnelly. He started his career in law enforcement. The young family stayed there for three years. Eventually they returned to the mainland, settling down in Tampa, Florida.

Jeff worked as a police officer for the City of Tampa for 20 years. Early in his career, he separated from Susan, sharing custody of Rene and Josh. In the times that followed he enjoyed oil painting and boating around the Tampa Bay area, an activity that his children frequently requested they do when they visited him. He met Jane, the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, when she was poolside at their apartment complex reading Darwin’s Origin of Species. He introduced himself, and soon the two were inseparable. They married in August of 1988 and were awarded custody of Josh and Rene soon after, making Jane the sudden mother of two tweens, a role she comfortably fell into.

In the years that followed, the family traveled all through the country, having many adventures. Jeff had also moved up to sailing, having sold his powerboats after the wedding. He and Jane sailed all over the west coast of Florida with friends and family. Jeff was able to retire in 2002 after 20 years serving in law enforcement. Since Josh and Rene had moved to Seattle in 1999, and with nothing holding them to Florida anymore, they sold their house and sailboat, bought a truck & trailer, and set out to blissfully meander about the country, eventually settling down in Astoria, Oregon.

Jeff blossomed in retirement. He pursued his love of painting, history, traveling, remodeling, camping and shopping. He got involved with period reenacting and began rendezvousing (camping pre-1840’s style). In 2011 he was the booshway for the 2011 Astoria Oregon bicentennial. He had several art shows and enjoyed many days with the Astoria Drawing Group and classes at the Clatsop Community College Art Department. Jeff and Jane supported the Astoria Music Festival and the Au Naturel: The Nude in the 21 Century juried art exhibition at Clatsop Community College by hosting artists and musicians from around the world.

He is survived by his two wonderful children Joshua and Rene, his wife of 37 years Jane Urquhart-Donnelly, his brother-in-law Jim Akers nephews Logan and Glenn and uncle Bob Pappas wife Carol and numerous cousins. Jeff liked sweet drinks, good food, vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and cake (any cake). Jeff’s last three years were frustrating for him as his short-term memory diminished. But he always knew and loved his family. For that we will always be grateful.

A gathering will be held on August 23 at Consejo Hispano from 1-5 pm. 565 12th St parking in the rear of the building enter off of 12 th Street.