OBITUARY: Margaret Shea McCormack, 76, Family Woman and Dog Lover
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Margaret Shea McCormack, of Alexandria, VA, 76, passed away peacefully the morning of Veteran’s Day. She was the daughter of the late Major William Shea and Margaret Trout. Her military family lived in Orléans, France, the birthplace of Jeanne D’Arc, on the ground floor of the Cassegrain Chateau, still riddled with bullets from its Nazi occupiers. She graduated from the Orléans American High School, maintaining those friendships throughout her life. She adopted Orléans, spiritually, with her time in France profoundly impacted the remainder of her life.
Upon her return, she graduated from George Mason College in 1969, earning her BA Magna Cum Laude. She became a revenue agent with the IRS, where she met her husband, Michael in 1970. She was blessed with two boys, Edward and Matthew. The family moved to Alexandria, Virginia, in 1979 to Marlboro Estates, a development bordering the picturesque Fort Ward Park. In 1988, Michael suffered an accident, rendering him a quadriplegic, requiring 24-hour nursing care for 13 years until his death in 2001. Michael’s accident inspired Margaret to become a nurse, working in oncology at Inova Mount Vernon. She spread her love and joy to colleagues, patients, and their families until her retirement in 2011.
Margaret was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where she was an active member of the choir. She also remained busy with many activities and built more friendships at the garden club, her sorority, and the dog park with her beloved dog, Sherman. She loved visiting with her many friends and brought warmth and joy to all.
Her passion was her family. She planned a yearly beach trip with her children and grandchildren, always at a pet-friendly location so Sherman could also work on his tan. She traveled often to her beloved France, and to matches, games, and regattas. She doted on her grandchildren and was adored as Mamaw on one side and Mimi on the other. She leaves a legacy of a life of joy and promoting kindness towards everyone and everything.
She leaves behind two sons, Edward of Round Hill, VA, and Matthew of Alexandria, VA, and two daughters-in-law, Catherine (nee Kelly) and Debra (nee Everitt), respectively; her seven devoted grandchildren, Seamus, Declan, Michaela, Owen, Maxwell, Mitchell, and Maeve; her sister, Emma Jane, brother-in-law R. Steven Cochran of Manassas, VA.
Visitation is November 25, from 5-7 p.m.at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302; The Right of Christian Burial, November 26, 11 a.m., Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1427 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA 22302; Celebration of Life, Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 2-6 p.m.
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