Cathleen Carole McNeal (Age 76)
Memorial service info
Cathleen Carole “Cathy” McNeal, 76, of Alexandria, VA, passed peacefully on March 21, 2023. Born October 6, 1947, in Cheverly, MD, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Renee Chaffee.
Cathy was preceded in death by her husband, Timothy McNeal. She is survived by her brother, Jerry Chaffee; her children, Shannon Lirio (Ronic) and Tommy McNeal (Duncan Neasham); and her granddaughter, Natalie Lirio.
A graduate of the Jackson Memorial Hospital Nursing Program, Cathy devoted her career to nursing and was known for her compassion and skill. She retired in 2002 after a stroke but continued to serve others through community volunteer work, including disaster response, suicide prevention, and arts education.
She met Tim in Miami, FL, and they married in 1968. Together, they raised their family in Northern Virginia, later moving to Hertford, NC. Cathy eventually relocated to Washington state before returning to Virginia shortly before her passing.
Cathy will be remembered for her dedication to service, her love for family, and her passion for the arts. She nurtured creativity in her children and found joy in painting, ceramics, and needlework.
Her ashes will be interred with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Friends and loved ones are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to ACTS (Action in Community Through Service), honoring her lifelong commitment to helping others.
