Dora Ann Ferina

Dora was born in Ceres, Virginia November 26, 1935 to Everette Bane Lindamood and Mildred (Neel) Lindamood. She grew up in a rural farm setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her family farmed tobacco on land originally deeded by Lord Fairfax. They raised cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, tobacco, and various food crops. Electricity and indoor plumbing were not something she had during her upbringing. She was a good student and used a kerosene lamp to study by. This lamp is still in our home and has seen recent use during power outages resulting from storms and hurricanes. Dora was the Valedictorian of her graduating class of Ceres, High. She then attended National Business College in Roanoke VA in 1953 and 1954.

Dora moved to Washington DC in 1954 and lived with her Aunts Suze (Neel) Hume and Audrey (Neel) Schmidt by Rock Creek Park and the National Zoo and soon became part of the DC scene. In 1959 she began work as Secretary to the Branch Chief of the Office of Special Investigations for the US Air Force. She moved on to Capitol Hill in 1961 working as personal secretary to Congressman LeRoy Anderson (D-Montana) and then began work as personal secretary to Congressman Thomas F. Johnson (D-Maryland). In 1962, Congressman Johnson was charged with Receiving Illegal Gratuities while in Congress and Conflict of Interest. Dora testified before Congress during his trial. He was convicted in 1968 and served time as well as having to pay a fine.

Dora worked on the John F. Kennedy and Linden Johnson campaign in 1961 and relayed great stories of partying through election night, and walking home in the snow in heels.

Dora met a dark haired, blue eyed Italian named John S. Ferina when she lived on Glebe Rd in Arlington. They fell in love and married in 1961. Their son, Tony was born in 1962. Soon after, John’s work for the FAA took them to Oklahoma City for a few years. While in the Sooner State, they had a daughter, Kathy. In 1966 they moved back to Virginia and bought a brand new home in Falls Hill in Falls Church where Tony and Kathy grew up. Dora stayed at home while the children were young. Dora and John divorced in the late 70’s but always remained close friends spending many holidays and milestone events together.

Once her children were settled in a school routine, Dora re-invented her career once again. She was the Regional Coordinator for Estee Lauder Cosmetics’ Mid-Atlantic Region from 1973 – 1980. After beautification of the area, she moved on as a Regional Assistant and Office Manager for the Capital Division of Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery. After an intoxicating 12 years with Gallo, the office moved and she moved on to various jobs before landing her final gig at an accounting firm in Vienna. She retired in 1997.

Dora was a charitable person donating her time and money to various causes. She volunteered at Iliff Nursing Home for years calling bingo for the residents. She was also a member of the Rosary Guild and was skilled at making rosaries which were sent to poorer countries around the world.

She was steadfast in her Catholic faith and this faith gave her strength and endurance through many times in her life, the most difficult of which was the death of her son Tony at the age of 36.

Dora loved working in the yard, planting and tending to flowers. She enjoyed homemaking (was a long time member of the Future Homemakers of America as a teenager in Ceres). She was a wonderful cook and a fabulous hostess. Many wonderful parties were hosted on Salem Rd during the late 60s and 70s, with neighbors and friends dressed to the nines as they were in the day. Dora was always put together with her makeup and hair just so and her jewelry matching her outfits. Dora moved to her new home in Vienna in the 80’s where she stayed for over 20 years making close friends and continuing in her love of all things home.

She loved to have fun, loved to dance, loved her bourbon and seemed to always have a cigarette lit. She was funny, easy to talk to, a great Mom, a great friend to many, a wonderful grand and great grandmother, aunt and sister-in-law.

She suffered in the end, but Philip and I were so happy we were able to share a home with her for the last 12 years. She was very special to us and we were honored to have her with us until the very end.

I appreciate you taking the time to take a walk down memory lane with me while I remember happier times. Maybe you learned something about my Mom that you hadn’t known. Maybe something made you smile. Again, thank you for your love, friendship and support.

Love,

Kathy