Mary Catherine Starliper

Mary Catherine Starliper, age 93, of Manassas, VA, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2023, at Paramount Assisted Living. Mary was born on Monday, September 30, 1929 to Elizabeth and William Alonzo Wilburn in the Beddington area of Berkeley County, West Virginia. Growing up on her parents’ dairy farm, one of her responsibilities was to help take care of the animals. Her free time was spent playing with her siblings; her sister Frances, and brothers Billy and Nevins. Living in a rural area, friends did not live close by, so she spent a lot of time playing with her large doll collection each day.

In her junior year of high school, Mary met Wayne, a handsome young man who stole her heart. They hit it off from the beginning. When Wayne wasn’t practicing baseball or basketball, he and Mary would spend afternoons after school, working at Wayne’s parents’ confectionary in Martinsburg’s downtown area where they would also do their homework together.

They were in love.

In 1949, the year following graduation, Mary and Wayne were married. Wayne was serving in the United States Air Force, stationed at Perrins Air Force Base in Sherman, Texas. Mary joined him and within a year they had their first son, Gary. Two years later, Charley was born. Mary was over the moon being a mother to her little boys. After 3+ years in Sherman, Wayne’s military service was over and they returned to West Virginia where they lived for a few more years until Wayne secured a job in Falls Church, Virginia. They lived in an apartment at Seven Corners for several years. When Gary and Charley were little, Mary worked part-time for Woodward and Lothrop Department Store as a sales associate until she had their daughter, Elayne. Six months later they bought their first house in Pimmit Hills, where they would also welcome their last child, Paul, two years later. Mary was proudly active in their lives; volunteering for many of their school activities and supporting them in their outside interests.

Later, when Gary and Charley had moved on, and Elayne and Paul were teenagers, Mary entered the workforce. Her first job was a line server at the Hot Shoppes Cafeteria in Tyson’s Corner Mall. She would later become the hostess-which she loved! - welcoming patrons and assisting them as needed. Several jobs later, she would retire from her position with the Washington Intelligence Bureau at 65 years-old. During her retirement, she and Wayne would take small trips up along the east coast, with the occasional ventures to California.

Mary was an active member of her church, St. Lukes Methodist Church, for 55+ years. She enjoyed coordinating and helping with the Sunday After-Service Coffee Hour, along with serving in the ‘Ladies’ Club’. She faithfully set-up, cooked, and served food at the annual Harvest Dinner and the monthly Men’s Breakfast meeting.

Mary loved cooking for her family and always made their favorite dishes for birthday celebrations. She loved flower bouquets throughout her house, and butterflies.

Her greatest loves were her seven grandchildren: Sarah, Josh, Andrew, Matt, Nathan, Ryan, and Aaron. Mary proudly attended their soccer, baseball, and basketball games, concerts, school plays, and theatrical productions. She played pretend, baked all their favorite treats, and provided so much love and support. She was so proud of the fine adults they have become. Her blessings continued with the addition of Debbie, Marge, Bernie, Lorin, Kayle, and Alicia, and her three beautiful great-grandchildren: Cooper, Benny, and Lucy.

She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Wayne Starliper. Loving mother to Gary Starliper (deceased), Charley (Debbie) Starliper, Elayne (Bernie) Burke, Paul (Marge) Starliper. Grandma to 7 grandchildren, Sarah (Lorin), Josh (Alicia), Andrew, Matt (Kayle), Nathan, Ryan, and Aaron and 3 great-grandchildren, Cooper, Benny, and Lucy Starliper.

Mary will be remembered as a loving wife, doting and supportive mother, and affectionate grandmother and great-grandmother.

Rest in peace Mary, our dear Wife, mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma. We will love and miss you forever.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary's name may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-fh.com for the Starliper family.