Ellen McCarthy Cleary

Ellen McCarthy Cleary passed away on January 5, 2025, in Alexandria, Virginia, surrounded by family. Born on April 11, 1954, she was the daughter of Robert D. and Martha Keenan McCarthy. She is survived by her son, Thomas James Cleary, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl, stepson Matthew Douglas Cleary of St. Petersburg, FL, stepdaughter Beth McKenzie Ball (Cleary), (B. Thompson Ball), of Roseland, Virginia, and by her brother, Tom McCarthy (Jessica Tisi), of Bonita Springs, Fl.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her Husband, Douglas B. Cleary, in 2016. She grew up in Glens Falls, NY graduating from St. Mary’s Academy, class of 1972. Ellen attended Trinity College in Washington D.C., graduating in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in history.

In October 1979 she began her career in Financial Services as a branch manager for Capital City Bank in Washington, then joined Dean Witter Reynolds in 1982, becoming one of the firm’s first female Advisors in the DC region. She continued to build her business career through Morgan Stanley and remained there until 2015 when she decided to join Wells Fargo Advisors, in Alexandria, Virginia as a Managing Director – Investments. Ellen retired from Wells Fargo Advisors in 2024. Ellen married Douglas B. Cleary in Alexandria, VA at St. James Episcopal church in 1984. Working together from the same offices of Dean Witter/Morgan Stanley in Old Town Alexandria for three decades.

Ellen and Douglas led active social lives, enjoying many happy years at Mt. Vernon Country Club with good friends Mark and Mckayla Braden, playing tennis from time to time and cooking with family. She enjoyed visiting Lake George and Saratoga each summer, visiting and supporting her mother for 3 decades, following the death of her father Bob in 1993. She also knew her way around Dodgertown, in Vero Beach, and you could find her regularly on the weekends attending the Kennedy Center events with her besties Julie and Emily Manbeck and then grabbing a bite to eat at The Terrace. She previously served on the board of the Alexandria Host Lions Club and Soroptimists as well as active volunteer work in her community and church.

In lieu of flowers feel free to make donations in her name to St. James Episcopal Church of Alexandria, 5614 Old Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22309 or Alexandria Host Lions Club, 7680 Oak Field Court, Springfield, VA 22153.