Aileen Maguire Walsh

Aileen grew up in Philadelphia with her parents, (Joseph Aloysius Maguire and Anna Helen Maguire) and three siblings, (Jayne Sailer, Nancy McAneny, and Joseph Maguire). While in Philadelphia, she attended Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy, Chestnut Hill College (where she was the school’s ping-pong champion) and then went on to earn an MBA from Villanova University, no small feat in a time when women were not readily encouraged to get an education. But education was especially important to Aileen, so much so she became a math teacher right out of college.

On January 7, 1961, she married a naval officer, John David Walsh, DDS (died December 11, 1982), and a year later they had their first child – followed by three more in the next five years. She devoted her life to her children, leaving her position as a teacher when her first child was born. The next 20 years or so were spent caring for children, feeding us (but certainly not McDonalds) clothing us (but absolutely no blue jeans), mentoring us and guiding us. She was an incredible athlete and taught us how to swim, play baseball/softball, field hockey, basketball, golf, tennis and of course, ping pong which had the added benefit of teaching us humility, since she always won. She was also always quick to laugh and smile (though never really understood the appeal of Monty Python movies) and was the absolute best mother a child could ever want. She was always there for us, to help in any way possible, to teach us life lessons, school lessons, and the (many) times we messed up, she knew that sometimes just the look she gave us would have a much greater impact than any lecture ever would.

We admired her. We respected her. We loved her.

When we got a little older, Aileen returned to teaching. She was proud of her own Catholic education and wanted to give back to the church. This time, she chose to teach at Saint Francis of Assisi school in Triangle – helping a small school to grow and to educate and shape the lives of a new generation of children.

We know that when she got to heaven earlier this week, she was greeted at the gates by Peter and our father, who looked at his watch, smiled and said, “What took you so long?”. I am sure that was her first smile in heaven - where we all picture her forever smiling down on us… even when we are wearing jeans.

Aileen is survived by her children and grandchildren:

Patricia Burke and husband Jeff Burke

David Walsh and wife Kris Walsh – grandchildren Sydney Walsh, Drew Eaton, Maddie Eaton

Kathleen Walsh

Christopher Walsh and wife Jaree Donnelly

• Funeral Mass: Thursday January 20, 11:00 a.m. at Saint William of York Catholic Church (3130 Patriot Hwy, Stafford, VA 22554)

• Viewing: Thursday January 20, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service (186 Shelton Shop Rd, Stafford, VA 22554)

• Reception: at Mullins an d Thompson Funeral Service, following the viewing.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to donate to Aileen’s favorite organizations:

Saint Francis of Assisi School or American Cancer Society