Mary Moriarty Obituary

MARY FRANCES (O'CONNOR) MORIARTY (Age 92) Mary Frances (O'Connor) Moriarty died peacefully at her home on May 6, 2023. Mary Frances was born in Washington, DC, on May 8, 1930, and grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland. She attended Blessed Sacrament School in Washington and graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda in 1948. She attended Maryville College in St. Louis on an academic scholarship, graduating in 1952. While home from Maryville on Christmas break of her senior year, Mary Frances met the love of her life, Robert William (Bill) Moriarty at a New Year's Eve party. They married in August 1953 and lived in Old Town Alexandria and Spotsylvania County before settling in Falls Church in 1960. Mary Frances and Bill had six sons: Steve (Marie Louise), Tim (Sohee Yi), Tom (Meegan), Mike (Regina), Dan (Heidi), Molly(deceased), and Patrick (Tobi). Mary Frances welcomed and loved each of her 14 grandchildren: Harris (Clare), Sean (Erin), Mairin, and Eilise; Joseph and Connor (deceased); Maggie (Jackson) and Fiona; Kevin, Jack, and Will; and Peyton, Liam, and Cavan. She is survived by eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill. Mary Frances was devoted to her husband and children, but also worked outside the home and volunteered extensively, including for St. James Catholic Church, the Democratic Party, Compassionate Friends, Food For Others, Langley Residential Support Services, and the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. Born an O'Connor, Mary Frances was a proud "descendant of Irish kings", though after the first of several trips to Italy, she indicated that, for her, eternal paradise would be Florence. Mary Frances was a lifelong learner, graduating at the top of her class in both high school and college, and skewing the curve while earning a master's degree at George Mason University. She was particularly supportive of Stone Ridge School and Georgetown Visitation, as both are committed to cultivating strong women of faith. The family wishes to give special thanks to Jingo Logan of Laurel, Maryland, for the extraordinary friendship and support she provided to Mary Frances and the family since 2020. Visitation will be held at Murphy's Funeral Home in Falls Church on May 15, 2023 starting at 5pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Arlington at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Followed by burial at St. James Cemetery in Falls Church VA. Reception to follow at Ireland's Four Provinces in Falls Church VA. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. murphy-fh. com for the Moriarty family.