Richard P. “Steve” Stephenson, 85, of Arlington County, died on Sunday, March 1, 2020 after a battle with cancer.
A very active member of the Arlington community and steadfast presence at St. Ann Catholic Church, Steve is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Mary, his children, Richard (Amy) Stephenson, Mary Jo (Kevin) Lugo, and Eileen (Robert) Topp; his grandchildren Amanda, Emma, Danielle, Alex, Meghan, Finley, and Henry, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother Glenn.
“Steve” was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Glenn Stephenson and Valra Dunn on December 5, 1934. After receiving his B.S. and M.A. from St. Louis University, he moved to Washington, DC to begin what would become a 32 year career in government service, working for multiple agencies, including the Post Office Department, National Archives, and GSA.
In the summer of 1962, Steve helped a stranded motorist and her friends, one of whom, Mary, would become his wife and life companion. Steve and Mary moved to Arlington County in 1966 to start and raise their family. For more than 50 years, Steve served as a lector at St. Ann, served on numerous church committees, and otherwise helped the parish in almost every way imaginable.
Steve, who always had a joke at the ready, will be fondly remembered for his quick wit and the lively sparkle in his eye. In the past few years, he served at Virginia Hospital Center as an auxiliary member where he continued to give direction to the lost and raise a smile from the most sullen of faces with a joke or funny story. His family and friends will miss his wonderful food, his sense of humor, his selflessness, his kindness, and his handing out of two-dollar bills.
Come celebrate his life: Visitation from 4:00-7:00pm will be at Murphy’s Funeral Home on 4510 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22203 on the evening of Friday, March 13th. Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, March 14th at 12:00pm at St. Ann Catholic Church, 5312 10th Street North, Arlington, VA 22205. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Anna’s Place, 226 Norris St., Chester, PA 19013 or to the St. Ann Samaritan Fund, 5312 10th Street, Arlington, VA 22205.
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