Obituaries

Colonel James M. Lowe

Retired Colonel James Michael “Mike” Lowe, 59, of Stafford, Virginia, died on March 21, 2014 at Mary Washington Hospital. Surrounded by his loving family and friends, he lost his 17-month battle with lung cancer. Beloved son, husband, father and Marine’s Marine, Mike was born on June 9, 1954 in Augusta, Georgia to Kathryn and the late Horace Mike Lowe. His adolescent and teen years were spent in Irwinton, Georgia in the loving home of his mother and his late step-father, Colon Lamar Wilson.

Charlotte Iliff Lafean, formerly of Fredon, NJ, and late of Vernon, NJ, March 8 in Nokesville, VA. Mrs. Lafean was the daughter of the late Fred C. Iliff and Geraldine S. Iliff of Newton, New Jersey, and an alumna of Newton High School ’47, of Cedar Crest College ’50, and St Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing ’53. Her sixty-year nursing career, largely in Emergency Room treatment, spanned the innovations of Intensive Care (ICU), Cardiac Care (CCU), and Shock/Trauma; school, camp, correctional, and home care nursing, and nursing training. A board member of the Emergency Department Nurses’ Association (EDNA) while employed at Newton Memorial Hospital, she later served at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Warwick, NY, and in northern Virginia at Potomac, Fairfax, and Mount Vernon Hospitals, and led the medical unit at the Alexandria, Virginia jail.

A lifelong devotee of music, Mrs. Lafean sang in the choirs of Pohick Episcopal Church in Lorton, Virginia, and St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Vernon, New Jersey, and the Alexandria Chorale. She studied violin and piano, and encouraged music in schools and among her family. She served on the Organ Committee of St. Thomas’ as well as its Vestry and rector search committees, and as its acolyte master; and had been a lay reader and lay Eucharistic minister at both houses of worship. St. Thomas’ ministries to hikers on the nearby Appalachian Trail and to local homeless also benefited from her efforts, especially her skill in nutrition and cooking. She was a consistent supporter of Brentsville District High School wrestling and football.

Andrew Thomas Burke passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in Culpeper, Virginia.

Andy was a resident of Culpeper and was employed by the City of Manassas in the maintenance department.

J. Michael Durkin Jr. (Mike) died peacefully on March 19, 2014 at his home in Winchester, Virginia.

Mike had a love of animals and was a fan of NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Jr. He was an avid reader and had a wicked sense of humor. Mike spent more than 20 years in the information technology field, most recently as Chief Technical Officer at Vision Technology Group of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Sara (Sally) Lea Henderson Heskett, age 67, of Manassas, Virginia passed into the care of her Lord, on March 13, 2014, at Prince William Hospital, with her loving husband, William, watching over her.

Sally was born at home in Oxford (Welchville), Maine on December 17, 1946 to Anna Holt Henderson Woodworth and John Henderson. She attended grade school in Sumner, Maine and graduated from Buckfield High School in Buckfield, Maine, with the class of 1964. Sally completed her nursing training at Rumford Hospital in Rumford, Maine in 1965 and began a career in nursing which continued for over 45 years. She ultimately retired from Prince William Hospital in 2004 after 30 years, but continued to work at various nursing homes as well as providing home health care.

Charlotte Iliff Lafean, formerly of Fredon, NJ, and late of Vernon, NJ, March 8 in Nokesville, VA. Mrs. Lafean was the daughter of the late Fred C. Iliff and Geraldine S. Iliff of Newton, New Jersey, and an alumna of Newton High School ’47, of Cedar Crest College ’50, and St Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing ’53. Her sixty-year nursing career, largely in Emergency Room treatment, spanned the innovations of Intensive Care (ICU), Cardiac Care (CCU), and Shock/Trauma; school, camp, correctional, and home care nursing, and nursing training. A board member of the Emergency Department Nurses’ Association (EDNA) while employed at Newton Memorial Hospital, she later served at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Warwick, NY, and in northern Virginia at Potomac, Fairfax, and Mount Vernon Hospitals, and led the medical unit at the Alexandria, Virginia jail.

A lifelong devotee of music, Mrs. Lafean sang in the choirs of Pohick Episcopal Church in Lorton, Virginia, and St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church in Vernon, New Jersey, and the Alexandria Chorale. She studied violin and piano, and encouraged music in schools and among her family. She served on the Organ Committee of St. Thomas’ as well as its Vestry and rector search committees, and as its acolyte master; and had been a lay reader and lay Eucharistic minister at both houses of worship. St. Thomas’ ministries to hikers on the nearby Appalachian Trail and to local homeless also benefited from her efforts, especially her skill in nutrition and cooking. She was a consistent supporter of Brentsville District High School wrestling and football.

Katherine Anne Stehlin, 78, of Manassas , VA passed away in her home on March 20, 2014.

Katherine was married to her husband, John A. Stehlin, Jr, for 58 years. Katie was from Allentown, PA. She was a devoted Wife, Mother ,Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend. She worked a a child care provider in the Woodbridge/Occoquan are for many years. In her early years, she worked for Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus as a juggler and acrobat. Katie was a member of Holy Family Church and will be greatly missed.

Obituary for Betty G. Kilby

Betty Garrett Kilby, age 77, passed away very peacefully, surrounded by her family, on March 20, 2014. Mrs. Kilby was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, attended East Carolina College and received a Master’s degree from the University of Virginia. She was a teacher for Prince William County schools for 32 years, loved traveling and working in her garden with her beautiful flowers. She believed that her greatest accomplishment in life was raising her four children. Mrs. Kilby is survived by her husband of 55 wonderful years, Robert Dean Kilby. She also leaves four adoring children, Rejeanna Barnes and her husband Rick, Joetta Kilby, Kimberly Kilby and Charles (Chip) Kilby and his wife Lisa, and five loving grandchildren, Jason and Sarah Barnes, Tim and Justin Fitzmorris and Ava Kilby.

Barbara Anita Mattaliano Arcuni (“Mrs. A”), 90, of Triangle, VA, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2014. Beloved wife of 44 years to the late Oreste K. Arcuni. Loving mother of Joseph G. Arcuni (Marianne), Janet Wangler (Dana), and Jean M. Arcuni (Mark Steven). Cherished grandmother of Ben Arcuni, Annie Berry, Emma Berry, Brendan Wangler and Rachel Wangler. Dear sister of Marie Marenghi (late Ambrose), Rita Aloupis (George) and Joseph Mattaliano (Candy). Barbara was predeceased by her siblings; Eleanor Melanson (Gordon), Edie Burditt (Carl), and Anna Moore (George). She leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and a huge extended circle of friends who will miss her dearly. A World War II Marine and a member of the Navy in Korea, Mrs. A. worked for the federal government for many years and most recently at The Basic School. She reluctantly retired after 54 years of federal service. She was a devoted member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Triangle, VA since 1963. Mrs. A loved Bingo, yard sales, Scrabble, good conversation and a nice glass of Chablis.

The family will receive friends at the MOUNTCASTLE TURCH FUNERAL HOME, 4143 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, VA 22193 on Sunday, March 23, 2014 from 4 to 8 PM. The family would like to invite any friends who wish to share a funny or memorable story to do so at 7 PM that evening before prayers. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 24, 2014 at 10:30 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 18825 Fuller Heights Road, Triangle, VA. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Quantico National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, www.stfrncis.org or to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Carole Ann Kelley, age 58, of Dumfries, VA, passed away on March 20, 2014 surrounded by her family. Beloved daughter of Kenneth Earl and Norma Holroyd Taylor. Loving wife of 31 years to. Thomas C. Kelley. Adored mother of Megan E. Porter (Daniel) and Molly T. Kelley. Cherished grandmother of Alice Ann Porter. Dear sister of Kenneth Taylor (Elizabeth) and David Taylor. Also survived by her Nieces Kelsey and Emily Taylor.