Ann Chandler McInerney

Ann Quinley Chandler McInerney passed away peacefully on January 29, 2024, at her home in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee after a long battle with her health. She was surrounded by her family and her devoted black lab, Daisy Mae. Ann was preceded in death by her husband of almost 55 years, Michael Joseph McInerney III. She was born October 14, 1943, in Salem, Illinois to Emmett Ashley Chandler and Jewell Margaret Quinley Chandler. She was 80 years old.

A proud Texan through and through, Ann spent her early years in Texas until marrying and raising her family in Washington, DC, eventually retiring to Stuart, Florida. Ann is survived by her daughter Caroline McInerney Williams and her husband, J. Nelson of Lookout Mountain, Georgia; son, Michael Joseph McInerney IV of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; her five grandchildren, John McInerney Williams, Nelson Somerville Williams, Ann Chandler Margaret Williams, Michael Declan McInerney, Brian Fitzsimmons McInerney; her sister, Peggy Chandler Somerville (the late Harrison) of Bethesda, Maryland and her brother, Emmett Ashley Chandler II (Brenda) of Midland, Texas. Her grandchildren Michael Joseph McInerney V and Quinley Maureen McInerney preceded her in death.

Ann grew up in West Texas as an avid Girl Scout and accomplished majorette who showed a deep love for animals early on. She was a member of the first class to graduate from Permian High School, on which the story, “Friday Night Lights” was based. She moved to Washington after high school, attended George Washington University, worked for the Navy and met the love of her life, Michael Joseph McInerney, III on a blind date set up by cherished friends. They married in 1968 and Ann quickly became involved in and ultimately spent her lifetime volunteering and fundraising for organizations close to her heart including Children’s National Hospital, Project Hope, Adventure Theater, American Heart Association, Animal Rescue, American Cancer Society, Junior League, National Foundation for Cancer Research, Sailfish Point Foundation, Mater Dei, Stone Ridge Country Day School, Georgetown Preparatory School and the Hoe n’ Hope Garden Club.

Known for her quick wit and sense of adventure, there was never a dull moment when she was around. She was equally comfortable in the hustle and bustle of life in Washington as she was experiencing the peacefulness of a West Texas sunset. She loved crossword puzzles solved with a red pen, traveling the world, rescuing animals, drinking a coke, playing practical jokes, reading anything she could get her hands on, rehashing old times, hitting the links, dancing to “Kodachrome” singing every word and of course enjoying a well-made gin and tonic with a bite of caviar. Above all, the things she held closest to her heart were the deep relationships she cultivated throughout her life. She was known for being an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was fiercely loyal to those connections and was lucky to have so many who loved her as much as she loved them. Her proudest achievement was raising her children with the love of her life, Michael and she spent every moment possible with them, their families and the many family pooches.

A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel at Georgetown Preparatory School, 10900 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852. A burial will occur at Rock Creek Cemetery. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Finn & Quinley Infant and Children’s Fund c/o The DCH Foundation, 1110 Dr. Edward Hillard Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401.

Life is not a dress rehearsal. Live every moment like it is your last.