Terri L. Dolinger

Terri L. Dolinger, 60, of Chester, VA, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 20, 2024, at TriCities Hospital in Hopewell, VA, with family by her side. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm afternoon, and one of the last days of summer. Her mother was the only person in the room when Terri took her last breath. The family takes comfort in knowing that the person who brought Terri into the world was by her side when she departed it. 

Born in Manassas, VA, on July 6, 1964, Terri was the daughter of Mary (Good) Richardson, of Colonial Beach, VA, and the late Stanley Reece Dolinger. She graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School, Class of 1982, in Manassas. She received her stenography certification and was a court reporter for several years, before stepping away from that work.

In her younger years, Terri was a formidable and gifted athlete. When she was only twelve years old, at a time when girls were not typically permitted to play baseball, Terri was voted onto her local All-Star Little League. Her position was second base. During a play against another team, Terri's baseball cap fell off and the crowd gasped to discover a sandy blonde ponytail cascade down the player's shoulders, before cheering wildly at the out she had just thrown. Aside from baseball, Terri also excelled in softball, cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance (including pointe ballet).

As an adult, Terri was an avid skier, among other recreational athletic activities. She mastered black diamond ski runs and was known to bomb it down the slopes, much to her mother's chagrin.

Later in life, Terri loved to spend time by the water, whether it was the Potomac River in Colonial Beach or by the pool at the home she shared with her partner, Mark. In recent years, one of her greatest joys was spending any possible time with her niece, Mazie, who shares a birthday with her.

Terri is survived by her mother and her mother's partner, Bobby Monroe, of Colonial Beach, VA; partner, Mark Steele, of Chester, VA; brother, Rick Dolinger and his wife, Antoinette Dolinger, of Myrtle Beach, SC; brother, Mike Richardson and his wife, Kathy Richardson, of Sterling, VA; sister, Lynne Dolinger-Payne and her husband, Mike Payne, of Capon Bridge, WV; sister, Kassie Richardson and her husband, Ben Rogers, of Watertown, MA; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father; and her step-father, Michael A. "Mickey" Richardson.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.