Obituary of Josephine M. McCarthy

Josephine Virginia Moore "Jo" McCarthy, longtime resident of Sterling, passed away after a brief illness on January 23. She was 88. A native Virginian, Josephine was born in Clarendon on May 12, 1927, the eldest child of Robert B. Moore, Sr., and Clara Virginia (Stoneberger) Moore. During her senior year at Fairfax High School, Josephine volunteered as the Service News Editor for the school newspaper, reporting on former FHS students fighting in World War II. Following her graduation in 1945, Josephine went to work for the Garrison Toy and Novelty Company in Washington, DC, serving as principle secretary to CEO Thomas Garrison. After Dulles Airport opened in 1962, she supervised operations of the facility's main public dining area, The Portals. She later worked in a similar capacity at The Hermitage continuing care retirement community in Alexandria. Josephine was also a floral designer at Sterling Florist, earning an enviable reputation for her creative and original arrangements. Upon completion of some adult education classes—most notably, one on how to properly use a jigsaw—Josephine developed a reputation for her impressive woodworking and decorating skills. Word of Josephine's talent for building bookshelves, devising and installing window treatments, and upholstering furniture quickly spread, turning her passion for all things custom-made into a respectable revenue source for her family. Most of Josephine's civic activities revolved around her children, including eight years as president of the Lower Loudoun Little League Ladies' Auxiliary. She also served as a Girl Scout troop leader. In addition, Josephine was an active member of the Loudoun chapter of the National Business and Professional Women's Association for many years. Recognized for her numerous and diverse artistic endeavors, Josephine especially enjoyed painting and sketching landscapes of eastern Loudoun County while it was still largely rural. The original quilt she designed and created depicting her parents' farm on the C&O Canal in Oldtown, Maryland, earned honorable mention in a juried show sponsored by the National Quilting Association. To help raise money for the Sterling Elementary School PTA in 1964, she handcrafted a period Civil War doll that was the featured prize in a raffle. Throughout her adult life, Josephine took immense pleasure in attending the various arts and crafts fairs staged across the area. With its emphasis on preserving the 19th-century Loudoun County village of Waterford, Josephine was especially fond of the annual Waterford Fair held in the different buildings comprising the National Historic Landmark District. She often recalled with great affection the time she was an exhibitor at the fair, introducing in the Old Mill what became one of her signature craft offerings: a handsewn set of Little Women dolls, depicting the four sisters made famous in the Louisa May Alcott classic. Josephine also delighted in the countless family and social gatherings she hosted at her home. When it came time to renovate her two-car garage, Josephine insisted it be reconfigured for easy transformation into a welcoming outdoor party room, complete with air conditioning. For a number of years, Josephine was an avid Volksmarcher, participating in the organized walking activity at different venues throughout the national capital region. Later in life, Josephine became a member of the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades. She frequently traveled with the group on several of its national and international tours. Josephine loved children, and had a special fondness for the elderly and disabled. She often sponsored a disadvantaged family at Thanksgiving or Christmas, quietly purchasing an entire holiday meal—as well as an assortment of gifts—for the anonymous recipients. Josephine was preceded in death by her sister, Louise M. Gardner of Cumberland, Maryland; her brother, Robert B. Moore, Jr., of Waterford, Virginia; and a daughter, Carol Virginia (McCarthy) Randlett of Bealeton, Virginia. She is survived by her six remaining children: Linda McCarthy of Front Royal, Virginia; David (Lauren) McCarthy, Jr., of Leesburg, Virginia; Kathleen (Jim) Parks of Abingdon, Virginia; William (Gia) McCarthy, IV, of Vienna, Virginia; Patricia (Paul) Blake of Leesburg, Virginia; and Teresa (Richard) Johnson of Catlett, Virginia. Josephine was devoted to her 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held on Monday, February 1, 2016, at Adams-Green Funeral Home Chapel, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, at 11:00 am at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 21371 St. Theresa Lane, Ashburn, Virginia, Father Richard M. Guest officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be eight of Josephine's grandsons: Patrick Evan Blake; Ryan Frederick Johnson; Brian Robert McCarthy; Iosif Yiannis McCarthy; Rory Joseph McCarthy; Tassos George McCarthy; William Monroe McCarthy, V; and Daniel Stuart Randlett. A reception will be held in the parish hall immediately following the Mass. Interment will be at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions in Josephine's name be made to the Waterford Foundation, P.O. Box 142, Waterford, Virginia 20197.