Gillian Ward Regal

Gillian Ward Regal (née Hurst), 54, of Falls Church, Virginia died on July 3, 2026, at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She had valiantly battled sarcoma for more than two years.

Born in Tucson, Arizona, Gillian was a gifted architect and designer, a career diplomat in the U.S. foreign Service, an avid quilter, as well as an amazing mother and tenacious advocate for her beloved children. She is survived by her husband, Michael Regal; her children May, Oliver, Fiona, and Adeline; her parents Pamela and Jim Ward; and her brothers, James, Shane, and Liam Ward. She was predeceased by John Hurst.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA, located at 1102 W Broad St. (Rt. 7). A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, July 25th beginning at 12:00 pm at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA.

Michael is planning a celebration of Gillian’s life to coincide with their 25th wedding anniversary in October 2026 on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Feel free to send flowers (she particularly loved sunflowers). Alternatively, donations may be made to the Sarcoma Foundation of America (https://www.curesarcoma.org) in Gillian’s memory.