Mary Margaret Schwind

Mary was born in St Louis, Missouri on Dec 24, 1934 to Benjamin and Margaret Purdum (Smith). She was the youngest of five sisters, Eileen, Dorothy, Marion and Carol (all deceased) and an older sister to her beloved brother Tim.

Mary married Joseph McLain Schwind on May 9 in 1957 in Baltimore, Maryland, and together they raised five sons; Joseph, Ted, Peter (deceased), Matthew and Benjamin. The young family moved around the United States for her husband’s work in the aviation safety industry before landing and taking root in Northern Virginia where they made their lifelong home. Mary’s boys were her pride and joy and she reveled in their personal and professional achievements and successes.

Along with being a busy mom, Mary worked for US Treasury department in Washington DC as a secretary for 20 years.

She was an avid world traveller with a special love for Paris and Ireland. In later years, after the death of her husband in 1995, she enjoyed many cruises with her close girlfriends, always returning with tales of adventure on the high seas. Closer to home she loved the Outer Banks in North Carolina where she enjoyed yearly beach trips with her family.

Mary loved nothing more than sitting on her deck on a summer evening with a glass of wine and a good book. She loved the cinema and was also an avid fan of the St Louis Cardinals baseball team and the Washington Capitals hockey team. She was passionate about politics and world events, played a mean game of bridge and never met a TV cooking show she didn’t like!

Mary is survived by her brother Tim (Milena) of Jacksonville, Fl, and sons Joe (Samantha) of Martinsburg, WV; Ted of Vienna, VA; Matt (Darlene) of Summertown, TN, and Ben of Falls Church, VA, along with her beloved grandsons Dylan and William. She also leaves behind many cousins, nieces and nephews across the country.

A mass of Christian burial for Mary will take place at St James Church, 905 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA, 22046 on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 beginning at 6pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Mary’s honor to support wounded service men and women. Suggested organizations include DAV, Gary Sinise Foundation, Fisher House and the Wounded Warrior Project.

Eternal rest grant unto her, Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace, Amen. May almighty God bless us with his peace and strength, the Father

and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

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