Mary Catherine Van Fossen Devoted mother, grandmother and friend On Friday April 24, 2015, Mary Van Fossen passed away peacefully in Reston, VA at the age of 82. Mary was born in Washington, DC on May 12, 1932 to Josephine Waight Van Fossen and J. Raymond Van Fossen. She was predeceased by her two brothers Richard (Dick) and David Van Fossen. Mary is survived by her daughter Margaret (Meg) Baker Mason (husband Terry), her daughter Jennifer (Jenny) Wall Thomas (husband Dan), and three grandchildren Stephen Mason, Amanda Mason and Matthew Thomas. Mary was raised in Washington, DC and spent many of her summers at Sherwood Forest, MD near Annapolis. She graduated from Western High School (now Duke Ellington School of the Arts) in 1950. After graduating from high school, Mary attended Maryville College in Maryville, TN. In the 1960s, she worked for the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, DC. She left her position at the Federal Reserve Board so that she could devote more time to raising her two daughters. After receiving her associate’s degree in Medical Records from Northern Virginia Community College, Mary started a new career in medical records and quality assurance at the George Washington University Hospital. In 1993, she received a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University. She retired from GWU Hospital in 1997 after 20 years of service. Mary enjoyed watching a variety of sports from figure skating to NASCAR. She was even known to take time off from work to watch Wimbledon tennis matches at home. She loved pink flamingos and occasionally rented an entire flock of plastic flamingos to celebrate a family birthday. Mary enjoyed knitting, cake decorating, clipping newspaper articles, collecting antiques, sending greeting cards, and shopping for Christmas gifts year round. She enjoyed attending musical theater, especially Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and performances featuring her granddaughter Amanda. Mary will long be remembered for her tenacity, sense of humor, and quiet strength. Visitation will be held on Friday May 15, 2015 from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at Advent Funeral Services 7211 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22046. A graveside service will be held on Saturday May 16, 2015 at National Memorial Park 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042. Friends and family are asked to gather at 9:45 AM. A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 16, 2015 at 11 AM in the chapel at Columbia Baptist Church 103 West Columbia Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. Please consider making a donation in Mary Van Fossen’s memory to Capital Caring Hospice (http://www.capitalcaring.org/) 24419 Millstream Drive, Aldie, VA 20105 or to a charity of your choice.