Virginia Claire DeMaio

Virginia “Jenny” Claire DeMaio, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away from cardiac arrest on September 12, 2025, at White Oak Adventist Medical Center in Calverton, Maryland. She was 69.

She was born in Hampton, Virginia, to Patricia Ruth Brenniman and Eugene Sherrod Fulghum Jr., both now deceased. Her father, a Senior Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force, was stationed in Japan during her early years, where she attended kindergarten. The family later lived in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Warren, Michigan, before settling in Rome, New York.

Jenny earned a B.A. from Concordia College New York and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. As a rostered teacher in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, she served as a primary school teacher and later Elementary Department Chair at Ascension Lutheran School for 36 years, and at St. Paul’s Lutheran School until her retirement. Her teaching style was celebratory and creative—whether reenacting U.S. history, designing visionary art assignments, or crafting hands-on math lessons that made learning come alive.

On March 26, 1983, she married Louis Durand DeMaio. They lived briefly in Greenbelt, Maryland, before making their home in Bowie, where they raised three children. Jenny was widowed when Louis passed away in 2012. In June 2025, she moved from her longtime home in Bowie to Riderwood Senior Living Community in Silver Spring, where she embraced a new chapter—taking art classes, joining choirs, and forming new friendships.

A devoted Christian, Jenny dedicated her life to serving others. At Ascension Lutheran Church, she served faithfully as a choir member, Vacation Bible School teacher, Sunday School teacher, Bible Study leader, Building Committee member, and founding member of her cherished “Moms’ Group.” She also contributed to the Bowie Senior Choral, the Spiritual Life Team for the Southeastern District—LCMS, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

She was known for her love of music, art, and gardening. A gifted soprano, she also played piano and guitar. In her later years, she found joy in her personal art studio, where she painted and drew, and in community workshops and classes where she continued to grow her artistry.

Jenny is survived by her children: Claire (Andrew) Germann of Napier, New Zealand; James (Sarah) DeMaio of Greenbelt, Maryland; and Emily (Alexander) Strachan of Bowie, Maryland. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Sylvia DeMaio, Ezra Germann, Lucia Germann, Julian Strachan, and Peter DeMaio; her siblings Debra

Wollaber and Charles (Kelly) Fulghum; and twelve nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter Celeste DeMaio.

Jenny cherished her circle of friends and was a shining example of sisterhood to those close to her. Her legacy of faith, creativity, and wholehearted love will endure in all who knew her.

Service Arrangements

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Visitation: Thursday, September 18, 2025, 10:00am - 1:00 pm, at Beall Funeral Home, Bowie, MD

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Memorial Service: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 am at Ascension Lutheran Church, Landover Hills, MD

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Burial followed by Reception: First Lutheran Church of Bowie, Laurel, MD following the service

Memorial Donations

Memorial donations may be made to organizations that embody Jenny’s passions:

Southeastern District Teacher Debt Reduction

Address checks to:

2305 N Parham Rd, Suite 200

Henrico VA 23229

-and-

Ascension Lutheran Church

Please note “In memory of Virginia DeMaio” on the memo line.