Mary Teresa Athridge

MARY TERESA ATHRIDGE of Bethesda, MD passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026 surrounded by her family. Born in New York, she was the second daughter of John and Catherine Varley, who immigrated to the United States from Ireland.

She and her future husband Thomas Athridge both moved to Washington following the election of John F. Kennedy, inspired by his urging to ask not what the country can do for them, but what they could do for their country. She spent years working on Capitol Hill before taking on the role of Mom, art teacher and executive with the Defense Mapping Agency (now National Geospatial Intelligence Agency). She was a diehard and loyal Yankee fan, following their season faithfully. She was a proven good luck charm any time she visited Yankee Stadium.

She is survived by her sisters Kathleen Mordini and Joan Yost and her children Mary, Thomas and John. Thomas Athridge Jr. pre-deceased her in 2016. There will be a visitation at DeVol Funeral Home, 2222 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC, Monday, February 23 from 6-8 pm. A celebration mass will be held at 10 am on Tuesday, February 24th at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 6900 River Road, Bethesda, MD 20817, followed by an 11:30 am burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD and a lunch reception at Lia’s of Chevy Chase.