Marie Chapin Plumley

Marie Chapin Plumley died peacefully on January 2, 2024 at her home in Arlington, with all three of her children at her side. Her grandchildren had been with her as well. With faithful humility, she was confident about her destination. Her last words were, "Onward and upward."

Marie, named after her paternal grandmother, liked to describe how she nicknamed herself “Mimi” by calling out, “Me! Me!” as she trailed behind her two older siblings.

Mimi was born in Syracuse, NY, but was also raised in Groton, MA; Puerto Rico; Panama; Presque Isle, ME; Carlisle, PA; spent summers in South Portland, ME; and lived in Palm Beach, FL. By the time she entered Sweet Briar College, she had lived in 13 places.

On her own, between her junior and senior years of college, Mimi obtained a scholarship to the Middlebury College (VT) summer language immersion program to study Spanish, and she waited tables.

After college, she taught second grade in Fairfax County.

Mimi actively worked with numerous charitable and philanthropic organizations. She helped start Hospice in the area and co-founded the Galen Society – Arlington Hospital’s (now VHC Health’s) philanthropic arm. In addition to her more visible efforts, she also served in quiet ways. In her early Junior League days, she chose to work with disabled and developmentally challenged children so that she could make a meaningful one-on-one impact. In more recent years, she participated in the The Falls Church (Anglican)’s Prayer Shawl Ministry: she prayerfully, lovingly, and anonymously created hand-knitted shawls for parishioners who were ill or otherwise in need of comfort. She did not seek acknowledgment or glory for these endeavors.

She had been an active member of the New Life Series, which was a Bible study founded by a group of Washington, DC area women. The group’s seminars and presentations were conducted by the Rev. Everett L. “Terry” Fullam. Father Fullam was a priest, biblical scholar, and teacher who gained prominence in the Episcopal, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and evangelical communities worldwide for his renewal ministries.

Mimi enjoyed many years of playing tennis and running. She also flew gliders: she took soaring lessons in Warrenton due to a challenge from another member at Washington Golf & Country Club- she earned her license and greatly enjoyed the adventure.

Mimi had the confidence that comes from conviction, strength that comes from character, grace that comes from humility, and humor that comes from wisdom.

She was elegant and generous, sophisticated and adventurous, fearless and intuitive, intelligent and approachable, beautiful inside and out. She was the first person whom people would call when they needed help, advice or a listening ear. She would help without being intrusive and with no expectations of credit or thanks being given to her. She loved fiercely and consistently.

Her friends told her children that she was a saint and quietly did many thoughtful things for people without being asked to do so. She did not force her faith on anyone, but had a ready response when asked about it.

One of her grandsons has described Mimi as “the embodiment of the word love – unconditional love. She laid the foundation and showed our family how to truly love someone.”

Mimi was taken ill twice in five years (2005 and 2010) with TTP, a potentially fatal blood disease. Having fought to live and having stayed strong, she shared that she was at peace with the prospect of dying because she knew where she was going. While undergoing apheresis (plasma exchange), and experiencing an adverse physical reaction to that process, one of the doctors explained that it was very important that the apheresis be successfully tolerated and completed. Mimi asked, “Or else, what will happen?” The response was that it was crucial to her well-being. She replied, “You mean I will die.” The response: “Yes, you will die.” The doctor was shocked by my Mimi’s next statement: “Well, then it’s a win-win.”

While being hospitalized at length, from her sickbed she launched a cookie ministry to ensure that nurses, staff, and others were shown appreciation.

In 2015, when the implications of her melanoma were explained to her, she responded: “That’s not my problem.” A responsible and proactive advocate for her own health and safety, she was also able to “give it” to God. The surgeon was surprised when the pathology report showed that the melanoma had not spread.

Years ago, Mimi co-authored (co-edited) a cookbook entitled Friends of Country Club Market and donated the proceeds to a mental health project in Northern VA. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, and her book club, Bible studies, Mah-Jongg and bridge group were paused, she decided to write a children’s book: A Tree Named Firry, which had begun as a bedtime story for her granddaughter, Reese, was published.

She had been married to Allan R. Plumley, Jr., for 56 years, until his death on the morning after Christmas in 2013.

Survivors include her three children, Allan Plumley III and Christopher Plumley (Elizabeth) of Fairfax County, and Carolyn Stombock (Mike) of South Riding, VA; six grandchildren; and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren.

A visitation for Marie will be held Tuesday, January 9, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

A funeral service will take place on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 2609 N Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22207.

The committal at Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington will be held privately with the family.