Virginia Marie Mayo

Virginia Marie (Cass) Mayo, 95, of Centerville, MA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 after a long life well and fully lived. She was the loving wife of the late Colonel Walter Lloyd Mayo, Jr. (US Army) and his indispensable partner in his service to the country and their shared devotion to faith, family, and friends.

Virginia was born in Boston and raised in Belmont, where she grew up surrounded by the love of her extended family and the warmth and closeness of the town. She attended Radcliffe College of Harvard University, and was soon joined by her beloved brother Donald at Harvard College. She cherished her Radcliffe friendships, joining them in celebrating through more than 70 years of reunions.

Virginia carried her love of learning through her life and shared that joy as a guide at the Smithsonian Institute Museum of American History and participating and serving at the Academy for Life Long Learning at Cape Cod Community College. With the dictionary open and a book (or two or three) always underway, she was a humble but encyclopedic source of knowledge and master of the richness of the English language.

Virginia committed herself wholly to raising her five children, holding near her faith, and sharing in her deep friendships. She navigated with skill and grace the demands of an Army officers’ wife, bringing love and stability to her family through his service in Europe and across the US and in his absence during time of tours apart. She also embraced the call to serve during these years as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, as president of the Officer’s Wives Association, and as the guide and mentor to the many young wives facing the challenge of their husband’s service to our country. Virginia always looked to give back to those organizations that she appreciated herself, including the Centerville Library, the Harvard Club of Cape Cod, and most recently the resident’s Association at Maplewood.

Virginia brought her relentless intellectual curiosity and love of life to her exploration of the world. She traveled across Europe during Walt’s service in Germany and after his retirement in the guided cultural tours of Elderhostel. She also enjoyed sharing with him in his reunions with his brothers in arms from around the world who survived the ordeal of PoW camp in Korea. Later in her life she traveled with her children and visited them as they lived around the world, and continued her purposeful journeys of discovery of the history and culture of others.

Virginia found joy in so many things. Her beloved Cape Cod and Craigville Beach, her love of sports and the arts (and late year crushes on Tom Brady and Jung-Ho Pak), and any summer dance party with the many generations of her family. She had a ready and full laugh, never more so than when she was laughing at herself.

In addition to her husband, Walter, she is predeceased by her beloved brother Donald Joseph Cass. Virginia is survived by her daughter Deborah (and Mark) Worten of Glen Allen, VA, daughter Donna (and Raul) Mayo of Centerville, MA, daughter Joanne Mayo of Naples, FL, son Walter (and Sarah) Mayo of Centerville, MA and Anne Mayo of Old Lyme, CT. She is also survived by her 7 adored grandchildren Meagan, Margaret, Katherine, Michael, Frances, Evelyn and Virginia and her 3 cherished great-grandchildren Lennon, River and Stella.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Sunday, March 17th from 4-6 PM at Doane, Beal & Ames, 160 W. Main St. in Hyannis. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Monday at Our Lady of Victory, 230 S. Main St. in Centerville. A future committal service will take place at Arlington National Cemetery where Virginia will be laid to rest aside her beloved husband Walter.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to a charity of your choice. To share a memory or for online condolences, visit www.doanebealameshyannis.com