Julia Sullivan McKnight

December 31, 1943 – December 23, 2025

      Julia Sullivan McKnight--known to colleagues, family, and friends as Judy--age 81, died peacefully in her sleep in McLean, Virginia from complications associated with Alzheimer’s. Her sons and husband were with her when she passed.

     Judy was the daughter of Francis Michael Sullivan, business editor of the Virginian-Pilot, and Rosa Lee Saied Sullivan, social worker and middle-school teacher. Judy grew up in Norfolk, Virginia, graduated from Maury High School and the College of William & Mary. She held graduate degrees from George Washington University. 

     A political science major, she came to Washington, DC and worked for Congressman Donald Fraser (D-MN). After a summer in France and Germany, she began a career in education that spanned six decades and encompassed preschool through high school. She taught elementary and junior high school in DCPS schools, was the director of Capitol East Children’s Center, taught at Capitol Hill Day School, was the Director of Finance & Administration and edited the newsletter for the Office for Children in Fairfax, Virginia. She was a facilitator in the National Diffusion Network, founder and president of the Education Network of Virginia, and co-founder and president of JRMCK Properties, LLC. She returned to schools as a vice-principal at Bailey’s and Bucknell elementary schools in Fairfax County and was a special education teacher and middle-school principal at Arlington’s H-B Woodlawn. Judy loved being with friends and family, backpacking, hiking, traveling, dancing, writing, and being creative in her pottery shed. 

     She is survived by the greatest joys of her life, her sons, Sullivan (Sully) Randolph McKnight (Shawna) of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and Shawn Harrison McKnight (Julie) of Crozet, Virginia, and her husband of 55 years, Randy McKnight of Arlington. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Tyler Saied, Geneva Allison, and Rysen Charles McKnight of Crozet, and Maylia Elizabeth and Taylin Memphis McKnight of Ottawa, and her sisters Pat Sullivan of Norfolk and Bridget Hampson (Harry) of Fort Myers. She is also survived by her nieces Michelle McNair (Chris) of Cary, North Carolina, and Stephanie Azar (Ramzy) of Washington, DC, and her nephew Glen McKnight (Jules) of Vallejo, California. In addition, she leaves a wide circle of friends who cherish the warmth and love that she shared with them.

     A family gathering this July in Northville, Michigan will celebrate Judy’s life. A celebration in Arlington will be announced at a later date. She will be inurned in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choosing.