Jacqueline “Jackie” A. Dessoffy, 80, of Virginia Beach, Virginia passed away peacefully on the morning of February 18, 2022, after a brief illness. She was an elementary school teacher in the Virginia Beach Public School system for over 40 years. Her preferred subject was 5th grade Language Arts. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, word searches, gardening, and going to lunch with her retired teacher friends.
Jackie was preceded in death by her father, Thomas, mother, Ima, and sister Anna. She is survived by her sister, Sara, daughter, Tania, son, Howard, and his wife, Laurie, and stepdaughter, Sarah.
According to Jackie’s wishes, there is no funeral planned. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association or the Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Atria Senior Living of Virginia Beach and Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital for their dedication to helping care for Jackie when she was ill.
Altmeyer Funeral Homes and Crematory (Maestas Chapel) is assisting the family with arrangements.
Ms. Dessoffy was a very sad person. She took every chance she could to discipline students. She reveled in her racism, gloating to her students about her status as one of The Daughters of the Confederacy, while exclaiming “It’s not JUST Martin Luther King Jr. Day…it’s LEE JACKSON King Day.” She encouraged bullying of students she didn’t like. She physically struck students herself. She made it a point to constantly ridicule students in front of their peers. She lied to administration when students had the courage to speak up for themselves. She was a miserable person, and I hope her final years were a reflection of that misery. I genuinely feel joy in my heart knowing that she can no longer inflict the pain and mental anguish only she was capable of delivering to any future students.
Mrs. Dessoffy was a tough and incredible teacher who never let me settle for mediocrity or laziness. I had her for fifth grade at a difficult time in my childhood, and she was uncompromising in her standards but warm and unfailingly devoted to us at what felt like such a vulnerable time when I personally needed that. It was clear she loved teaching and her students, and I was very lucky to have her as a role model of what a fearless and powerful woman could be. She will be greatly missed.
Jackie was a dear friend and cousin, she always attended our Asbell Family reunions and always participated and brought excellent food and her children. She always seem to enjoy it as we did her and her family! Jackie was always an Asbell at heart, she will be missed by many!