Maher, Jean Howard
Jean Howard Maher, of Blacksburg, passed away on Friday, August 28, 2009, at her Westminster -Canterbury residence in Charlottesville, Va. She had celebrated her 94th birthday on August 2, 2009. Mrs. Maher was born in Roanoke, Va., the youngest daughter of Ruth Samuels Howard and Asa William Howard, and was preceded in death by three sisters; and a brother.
As a young woman, she developed a life-long love of classical dancing, and for a number of years she taught ballet and ballroom dancing. While attending Roanoke College, she met a handsome young V.P.I engineering professor from Brooklyn, Francis Joseph Maher. They were married in 1939, and their love affair continued until the death of her beloved Frank 56 years later in 1995.
Jean loved Blacksburg and V.P.I., and the many wonderful friendships and associations that came with life in a university town. She was a real Southern lady who loved to entertain. For her, being a wife, mother, homemaker, and gracious hostess was a high calling. Jean was never happier than when she was surrounded by friends and neighbors, especially at holiday time, with family all around. She also found time to serve for many years as a Red Cross volunteer and as a volunteer at Montgomery Regional Hospital. A woman of faith, Jean was a long-time member of Blacksburg United Methodist Church. A loving daughter, devoted wife, and proud mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she took keen delight in the accomplishments of her family.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; and their son, Thomas Howard Maher. She is survived by her daughter, Dorothy Maher Tysinger and her husband, Travis Tysinger, of Staunton; five grandchildren, Maureen Maher Bridge and husband, Dr. Jeffery Bridge, of Columbus, Ohio, C. Andrew Tysinger and wife, Virginia Cooke Tysinger, of Norfolk, David O. Maher, of Pittsburg, Pa., Michael D. Tysinger, of Richmond, and William H. Maher, of Pittsburg, Pa. She is also survived by six great grandchildren, Katherine Alina Bridge and Noah Robert Bridge, of Columbus, Ohio, Wilson Andrew Tysinger and Peyton Kinnier Tysinger, of Norfolk, and Ashley Kay Tysinger and Jackson Davis Tysinger, of Richmond.
The family would like to express its grateful appreciation to all of the care givers in the Health Care Center of Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge, and to the staff of the Hospice of the Piedmont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Frank J. Maher Scholarship Fund, Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc., University Development (MC0336), Blacksburg, Va. 24061.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 31, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, 111 Church St. The family will receive friends on Sunday afternoon from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr., Blacksburg.