Babette Lohe McGarry

Born Babette Martha Appolonia Lohe in New York City in 1930, Babette was the daughter of Ewald and Barbara Lohe. Following her graduation from Lafayette High School in Buffalo, New York, Babette attended Bryant Stratton College where she studied business accounting. She landed a job at WBUF in Buffalo, New York where she met and then married Maurice “Mac” McGarry in 1959. They moved to Washington D.C., when Mac began a long and distinguished career as host of “It’s Academic.”

She started her family in Potomac, Maryland in 1960. In her 61 years as a Potomac resident, Babs, was very active as a volunteer, often in leadership roles, especially at Our Lady of Mercy School and Parish, Connelly School of the Holy Child and Potomac Swim and Tennis Club. Babs worked at Woodward and Lothrop “Woodies” at Montgomery Mall in the Chocolate Department during the 1980s and early 1990s. She and Mac were members of Kenwood Golf and Country Club.

Babs also maintained a home in Bethany Beach, Delaware where she entertained many friends and family. She loved to visit the local stores, dine at her favorite restaurants and browse the collection at the local art gallery. She was an ardent believer in the value of education. She read the newspaper daily up until just a few days before her death. She was a consummate supporter of the environment and enjoyed gardening.

Babs is survived by her sister Judy Ann, her four children, Stephen McGarry (Laura) of Bethesda, Maryland, Laura McGarry Lamke (Jim) of Skillman, New Jersey, Mark McGarry (Patricia)of Darnestown, Maryland and Andrea McGarry Cremins (Michael) of Ashburn, Virginia, as well as seven grandchildren, Eileen, Brendan, Joe, Kevin, Ryan, Erin and Kristen.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Babette's memory to the following charities: The Sierra Club Foundation (www.sierraclubfoundation.org) and The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org).

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac, Maryland on January 9, 2021. Due to COVID restrictions, it will be livestreamed. Interment will be private.

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