Geraldine Priscilla Zell's Obituary
Geraldine P. Zell (née McCourt), a woman devoted to faith and family, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2025 of natural causes.
The life she lived is one stories are based on: full of her love of Ireland, fashion, and love. She was born on April 17, 1942 in Londonderry, Ireland. Her early Irish beginnings were shaped by her love of the Catholic church. She was known for her trendy style, with exact tailoring and careful attention to accessories. Her father, Eddie, owned McCourt’s shop and he was a certified local Swiss jeweler watch maker. His shop was famously damaged during the Troubles period in Northern Ireland.
It was in Derry that destiny introduced her to her husband, Ronald J. Zell, where their courtship often found them dancing the night away. Their life together brought them around the world: to Morocco, war-torn countries, and then intermittently back to the United States to raise their children. During military deployments, Gerry would often teach music at local schools. As she grew older, her passion for family history passed on to her grandchildren, who would often pepper her with questions on what it was like to grow up in Ireland. She would famously only serve cornish hens at Thanksgiving and maintained many Irish traditions in her life. Thankfully, she meticulously kept her wardrobe from her early years in great condition, and would often outfit her granddaughters in her style.
She was equally known for her honest expressions, as her Irish nature couldn’t let her hide what she did and did not agree with. In line with his watch maker tendencies, her father would often tinker with Gerry’s appliances in later years, taking apart her toaster right before she would need to use it. Despite Gerry’s reaction to these moments, he never ceased tinkering with her appliances.
In retirement, she joined her husband traveling the United States in their motor home and building her life in Fredericksburg, VA. Ronald would make her the same breakfast every day, often yogurt, tea, and soft-boiled eggs that she could dip her toast in. She would spend her days taking care of their dogs. Together, they made many joyful memories with their Virginia family.
Gerry is survived by her children, Paula Love, Sandra Dolezal, and Damian Zell; her sister, Pauline McCourt; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Ronald Zell, as well as her parents Edward and Margaret McCourt.
Gerry’s family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. The funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 9151 Elys Ford Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. Following the service, friends are welcome to join the family for a burial in Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Road, Triangle, VA 22172 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Geraldine Zell to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.
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