Obituary of Helen Ann Breece

Sterling -

Helen "Ann" Breece (81) died peacefully on June 6, 2017 after a long, brave battle with COPD.  

Ann, born Helen Ann McNamara, began her adventure on June 7, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri.  In 1956, Ann received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from St. Mary on the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas.  After taking several years to raise her family, Ann entered into a position at St. Luke Catholic School in McLean, Virginia that she would hold until her retirement at the age of 70.  During her time at St. Luke's, Ann became an institution at the school eventually starting up and running their after school program.  The driveway at the school was at one point lovingly named "Breece Way" to honor her contribution to the school community.  

Ann loved travel, sharing a good laugh, shopping, being with friends, socializing with any friendly face, and great food, but mostly she loved spending time with her family.  A devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, daughter, and aunt, Ann could often be found surrounded by any number of her large brood.  Whether she was having a quiet dinner at home, traveling to a foreign country, or visiting one of her children, Ann would always be among her children and their families.  She had an infectious, beautiful smile and easy laugh.

Ann is survived by her five children and their families:  her oldest boy Michael Breece of Ashburn, Virginia and his children Jessica, Daniel, Lindsay, and Ashley; her loving daughter Anna Brown of Herndon, Virginia, husband Richard Brown, and their children James and Ann Marie; her devoted son Kevin Breece of Sanibel, Florida, wife Penny Breece, and their children Kimberly, Kevin, and Jillian; her youngest son Thomas Breece of Gaithersburg, Maryland, wife Anna Breece, and their children Elizabeth and Mary Catherine; and youngest daughter Katharine Wehrer of Sterling, Virginia and her daughter Emily.  Ann is also survived by her beloved sister Susan Lix of Nashville, Tennessee, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  Ann is predeceased by her parents Mildred and Thomas J. McNamara, as well as her brothers Jack McNamara, Lawrence McNamara, and Thomas McNamara and her sister, Elizabeth Scheele.

Visitation will be held at Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia on Monday, June 12th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.  A funeral mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, Virginia on Tuesday, June 13th at 1:00 p.m., followed by burial at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, 831 Dranesville Road, Herndon, Virginia.  The family will be greeting friends and fellow mourners at a respite immediately after the burial at Belmont Country Club, 19661 Belmont Manor Lane, Ashburn, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, Ann’s family have requested friends and family to consider a donation in her name to the American Lung Association website.