Mary Parker Sheehan

Mary Parker Sheehan, age 76, of Centreville, Virginia, passed away at her residence on Sunday, June 29, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mary enjoyed spending time with her family - nine children, 28 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Born on April 18, 1938, in Queens, New York, to Thomas Parker and Rosalie Burger Parker, Mary graduated from Mary Louis Academy in 1955 and Marymount College-Manhattan in 1959 with a degree in English.

She married Thomas Vincent Sheehan in August, 1959 and they began their life together in East Northport, Long Island. They soon moved to Garden City, New York where they lived for many years raising their nine children. They eventually relocated to Burke, Virginia and finally, to Rixeyville in Culpeper County.

Over the years, Mary volunteered with a variety of organizations including FISH and Hospice of the Rapidan. Mary’s core beliefs were that it was essential to assist the poor and to champion and enjoy the arts in all its wonderful forms. She and her husband Tommy, who predeceased her in 2008, attended orchestral concerts, the ballet, and the theater. Mary instilled a love of art and museums in all of her children.

Mary was an avid reader, a passion which she also passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Surviving Mary, are a brother, James Parker and his wife, Jan, of Huntington, NY; nine children, Marilou Schunter and her husband, Douglas of Culpeper, Va.; Annemarie Steimel and her husband, Bart of Jeffersonton, Va.; Jean-EllenWood and her husband, David, of Centreville, Va.; Terry Sheehan and his wife Bonnie of Stafford, Va.; Casey Sheehan of Gainesville, Va.; Cathleen Piemme and her husband, Geoff of Bethesda, Md.; Daniel Sheehan and his wife, Sarah, of Culpeper, Va.; Drew Sheehan and his wife, Karen, of Fairfax, Va.; and Nicholas Sheehan and his wife, Laurie, of Chantilly, Va.; and twenty-eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

There will be a Memorial Mass at Precious Blood Catholic Church, 114 Edmondson Street, Culpeper, Va. at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2014 with Father Anselme officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Clore-English Funeral Home, 11190 James Monroe Highway, Culpeper, Va.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of Rapidan; PO Box 1715; Culpeper, VA 22701.

The family has entrusted Clore-English Funeral Home with these arrangements. Online condolences may also be sent to www.clore-english.com