On Sunday, May 8, 2022, Mary Elizabeth (Betty) McCaffrey, passed away at home, surrounded by her entire family, after a brief illness. Betty is survived by her four children, Sharon Myrick, Col. Kathleen Herberger (Ret.), Susan Mosedale, and Dr. David J. McCaffrey, III (Suzanne), grandchildren Jamie Myrick (Matt Myers), Sarah Herberger, Annie Mosedale, Carder McCaffrey, Abbey Mosedale, Kathryn Herberger, Emmamarie McCaffrey and JonMichael McCaffrey, and great-grandsons Matthew Myers, Jr., and Maxwell Myers. She was loved by Chuck Herberger, Patty Agee, Deisy Varona and Kortez Prather whom she thought of as her children. Betty was predeceased by her loving husband David J. (Mac) McCaffrey, Jr., grandson Jimmy Myrick, Jr. and son-in-law Jim Myrick, Sr.
Betty was a “city girl;” born in Washington, DC on September 2, 1934, to Margaret Mary (Edwards) and John Richard Hardesty. Her life forever changed when she met and married, at just 17, her beloved Mac on September 15, 1951. Soon after marrying, Mac was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in Korea until 1953. When Mac returned from Korea, he and Betty moved to Colmar Manor and then to her lifelong home in Berwyn Heights, Maryland in 1957. She was married to Mac for 63 years until his passing in January 2015.
Betty would not have described herself as a career woman, yet she always worked to support her family. Her last job, with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, was her most enjoyable and rewarding. When she retired in 1997, after 25 years, her colleagues honored her calling her their “Hallmark.”
Betty took her first airplane ride at age 59 to visit her newborn granddaughter in San Antonio, Texas. After that, you could not keep Betty down. She traveled to London, Germany, Alaska, Hawaii, and many other places in the United States.
Betty loved her community of Berwyn Heights and was an active participant. She supported the Berwyn Heights Elementary School PTA, Berwyn Heights Boys and Girls Club, and the Seniors Club. Most recently she served as the Seniors’ Sunshine Lady sending birthday greeting cards to members every month. And, despite her city upbringing, she took on the challenge (often with hilarious results) of leading a town Camp Fire Girl group for several years. Betty participated in a community bridge club for 60 years.
More than anything else, she will be remembered and cherished for her capacity to love her family and friends. She never forgot a birthday and if she were even a day late sending a card, she would feel bad. She could be trusted with a most precious secret, and she offered to take on your burden to lighten your load. She always said, “I love you” and assured her grandchildren they were “so beautiful.”
Family and friends are invited to the visitation and funeral service on Friday, May 20, 2022, at FORT LINCOLN FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, Maryland. Visitation will be from 12:30 pm until time of funeral service at 1:30 pm. Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of love and sympathy be made with a memorial contribution to the Jimmy Myrick Jr. Foundation (www.chesapeakecharities.org) which celebrates and supports individuals with differing abilities through sport, medical advocacy, and education.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6