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In Memoriam | Fall 2011

In Memoriam: 1980s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Martha Boone McGarry (Law ’80 L/M) of Chevy Chase, Md., died May 30, 2011. Ms. McGarry practiced law in the D.C. area at Shaw Pittman until she moved to Winchester, Mass., in 1988. In 2000, she returned to the Washington area and was very active in community work, as well as serving as a committed volunteer in her children’s schools.

Joseph Ringers Jr. (Educ ’80 L/M) of Charlottesville died May 4, 2011. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He pursued a career in public education, initially as a teacher, then as an administrator, retiring in 1980 from his position as assistant superintendent of schools in Arlington, Va. He pioneered the concept of community schools and shared facilities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He continued to be involved in the community via volunteer activities in the Charlottesville City Schools and Martha Jefferson Hospital. Survivors include a son, Dirk A. Ringers (Com ’74 L/M).

Mark “Josh” R. Wood (Col ’81) of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., died May 27, 2011. He was a professional painter in the Outer Banks for more than 20 years. Mr. Wood enjoyed fishing and the outdoors.

Ruth Smith Gilmer (Educ ’85) of Louisa, Va., died June 4, 2011. Ms. Gilmer lived with her family in Richmond from 1957 to 1973. While there, she taught second grade at Maude Trevvett and Chamberlayne elementary schools in Henrico County. After moving to Louisa in 1973, she taught at Louisa Elementary School as a third-grade teacher and then as the reading teacher there and later at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, retiring in 1989.

Sean O’Connell (GSBA ’87 L/M) of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, died April 1, 2011. Mr. O’Connell was the director of operations for Kraus-Manning, a construction and development services company. His projects included Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef Beach Resort, Water Island ferry dock, Cyril E. King International Airport, Home Depot, and Patriot’s Manor Housing Community.

Karen Jones McPherson (Com ’87 L/M) of Oakton, Va., died June 29, 2011. At the University, she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. She was a banker and senior vice president with Wachovia.