Mary Jo Carter McCarrick (nee Via), 93, of Ashburn, Virginia passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025; at her Maple Grove Assisted Living Residence. She was preceded in death by Thomas her husband, of nearly 60 years.

Mary Jo was the youngest child and only daughter of Dr. Dan Otto Via, Sr., and Josephine Garland Carter Via, both of whom predeceased her as did her older brother Dan Otto Via, Jr.

She was the beloved mother of Todd McCarrick (Jeannine) of Ferndale, Maryland, Lynne Lease (Mike) of Leesburg, Virginia and Shannon McCarrick of Germantown, Maryland. She is also survived by five (5) grandchildren Joanna Link (Mike), TJ McCarrick, Kaitlyn Westbrook (Grant), Olivia Brilhante (Gabe), and Dillon McCarrick; and one (1) great grandchild Eleanor Rae Link.

Born in her beloved Charlottesville, Virginia on June 11, 1932, Mary Jo graduated from the University of Virginia (UVA) with a degree in Elementary Education. It was at UVA where she met her husband, Tom.

She was a devoted wife, mom, and homemaker who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Mary Jo loved to decorate, especially at Christmas time and did so with a skillful passion; and exhibited equal skill as an amazing cook. She enjoyed reading, listening to all kinds of music, playing bridge, skiing, and taking regular walks wherever she might be at the time; and most definitely loved dogs.

Mary Jo was particularly proud of being a member of the "Daughters of the American Revolution" or DAR along with her mother, Josephine.

One of her main joys in life was being a grandmother. She loved to spoil her grandchildren and even picked out, from a book she had read, the name "Grandy" - a name that fit her well - for the grandkids to call her.

Grandy will be remembered for her love of traveling in general and with her extended family, in particular. Each year, for many years, she along with her husband blessed their entire family with a winter ski trip long weekend to usually Canaan Valley in West Virginia. Amazingly, Grandy continued to ski, and well, into her late 70's. She also blessed all her children and their spouses, along with her grandchildren with two (2) exciting cruises during the past 20 years. One to Bermuda and one to Nova Scotia, along with other parts of Canada, Maine, and Boston. Her children, while growing up, were also blessed by her with many travel opportunities via pop-up camper trips to multiple locations to include several trips to Disney World in its early days, a 3-week cross-country trip to California-and-back, that included stops at most of our Nation's most iconic landmarks. On top of all the above, she also managed 2 trips to Australia in the early 1990's.

Another blessing from Mary Jo (along with her husband) was their making available to the entire family and multiple friends their Bryce Resort timeshare Ski Chalet. This gift, that keeps on giving, has been received nearly every Thanksgiving Holiday period for close to 50 years. This timeshare is where, so many memories, meals (including Thanksgiving Dinners), golf outings, football games, conversations and more were shared and enjoyed.

Grandy personified being a beach lover/sun worshipper. For her, a summer was not summer without at least one multi-day (or week) trip to the beach. Her children have many fond memories of spending 13 summers in a row camping at Assateague Island, 2-weeks-at-a-time in the pop-up camper. There were also many a visit to Rehoboth, Bethany, and Ocean City beaches over the years with her.

You might say that Mary Jo was a professional gift wrapper and gift giver. She expertly presented all of us on Christmas, birthdays, and other special occasions with some of the most beautifully wrapped presents one could imagine. Everyone knew when looking under the Christmas Tree which presents were from her. She was always thoughtful with the gifts she lovingly decided to present to family members.

In addition to gift giving related things, she was also well versed and consistent in the now almost lost art of letter writing and card giving.  She rarely, if ever, forgot a birthday or special occasions or holiday.

Friendships were of great importance to her and she continued multiple long term friend relationships throughout her life. Some stretching back to her childhood years.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects to Mary Jo at the Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, VA 20176; 11 AM to 1 PM on September 13, 2025. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).