Maureen Anne Shields

Maureen Anne Shields, 72, of Alexandria, Virginia passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, at the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia. Mo, as she was affectionately known to family and friends, was born on December 1, 1953, at the Columbia Hospital for Women (Washington, DC). Mo was a loving and devoted daughter, the best of sisters, and a doting, adoring aunt. She was a favorite cousin and a caring friend.

Maureen was proud of her career as a Federal civil servant from 1972 until her retirement in 2011, all served at The Pentagon. She was dedicated and loyal to those she served with. Working at The Pentagon meant a lot to Maureen because she recognized the work accomplished there was so important to all Americans. The Pentagon also held a special place in her heart because it was there that her parents met in the late-1940s – Mom (Mary) from Dexter, Iowa and Dad (Harry) from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mo was particularly proud that she had the opportunity to support three Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in her last position. She often said that she worked for, and with, the best of the best throughout her career. She considered many of her work colleagues as family and treated them as such.

Mo was generous, kind, and loved by many. Those who knew her were also aware of her entertaining sense of humor. She most always had a welcoming smile on her face. She was an ardent sports fan; in particular, of the old Washington Senators baseball team as well as the New England Patriots football team. She loved watching tennis, especially when her favorite, Roger Federer, played. She was thrilled to have traveled to London to watch the Wimbledon Tournament in person. If you ever had the experience of watching a game or match with Mo, you knew that she was a vocal fan who didn’t hesitate to jump up and down with great enthusiasm during any competition! She also had a deep interest in, and fascination with, the British Monarchy and the Royal Family reading anything she could get her hands on about them. And, she had a not-so-secret guilty pleasure of watching episodes of old television shows like “I Love Lucy”, “Friends”, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (to name a few), as well as her favorite soap operas.

Mo’s favorite time of the year was Christmas. Her tree went up early and came down late. It was carefully decorated with ornaments that held specific sentimental value. When she answered her phone after Thanksgiving, it wasn’t unusual for her to begin singing “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” in lieu of offering a simple hello! It was the spirit of giving that she felt made the season so special and giving was something she did year round. And, in keeping with the “most wonderful time of the year”, she had a child-like enthusiasm any time snow was in the forecast. It was magical to her.

Mo is survived by her much-loved siblings: her brother, Jim Shields; her sisters, Kathleen Kirchner, and Mary Dewald (husband Tommy); her cherished nephew and niece, Robert Dewald and Katie Dewald; Robert’s fiancée, Jennifer Walls; and many treasured cousins and friends. Mo was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Harry and Mary Shields (Alexandria, Virginia).

A Visitation will be held on March 8, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at Demaine Funeral Homes, Inc., located at 520 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314.

Following the visitation, a Catholic Prayer Service will take place from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm at the same venue.

A reception will be held from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm at Demaine Funeral Home.

Please be aware for your planning of attendance that daylight savings is taking place on the day of services.

Parking is available at the funeral home facility with entrances on Gibbon St and S. St. Asaph St.