Julia MacKenzie Kearney

MacKenzie Kearney (61), of Arlington, VA, beloved wife and mother, died suddenly on April 11, 2021. Born in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 1959, only child of Catherine M. and John M. Kearney, she attended Yorktown High School and the University of Miami (Florida) and served the U.S. Government for 30 years, most recently as a video production specialist. She covered U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, U.S. national Political/Presidential Conventions, and received numerous awards from the National Association of Government Communicators. Some of these awards include serving as the President of the organization, receiving the Distinguished Service Award, and the award for her excellent service to the profession as a Member of the NAGC Board of Directors.

A lifelong swimmer, MacKenzie was a gold medal winner in various age groups in U.S. Masters Swimming, officiated for USA Swimming in the NVSL/PVS leagues (10 years), served on the Arlington Aquatics Committee (14 years), and supported Denison University swimming and diving. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and served on the committee for the National Parent Teacher Association.

MacKenzie was exceptionally proud of her Scottish and Celtic heritage, she was a Challenge Coin Collector, and known for her exceptionally creative Halloween costumes. She grew up playing piano, oboe, and violin, being a member of both the band and orchestra at Yorktown High School. She loved languages, taking Latin in high school, and even becoming fluent in German at one point in her life. She valued language so much that she enrolled her daughter in a Spanish immersion elementary school. Her eyes especially sparkled when talking about her love for her daughter, Michaela. She loved to talk with others and share stories, many remember her as empathetic, welcoming, and full of wisdom.

She is survived by husband Michael Morrison, daughter Michaela Morrison, and family in North Carolina, New York, and Washington state. A graveside burial will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Columbia Gardens Cemetery, 3411 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22201 at 10:00 AM. At a later date, the family will hold a celebration of life at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington.

The burial service will be livestreamed. Please visit the guest book at Murphy Funeral Home, and sign up to receive updates on the GoFundMe that has been set up for the family

[https://www.gofundme.com/f/mackenzie-kearney-morrison-memorial?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cf%20share-flow-1&fbclid=IwAR0O8oiQ87r1rlT-l9fCsGQ67KtlZPm9z33FdVphZLgMoTagZao1rZDUi2Y], a celebration of life service, and a scholarship being planned in MacKenzie’s honor.