Minor McNamara

Mary Minor Jordan McNamara, age 86, formerly of Blue Grass and Norfolk, passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Morningside of Charlottesville, where she resided.  She was born January 18, 1930 in Norfolk, the daughter of the late James Mathias Jordan, Jr. and Elizabeth Browne Jordan.

Prior to her and her husband’s retirement to Blue Grass, Minor worked as an advocate for victims and witnesses of crimes in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office in Virginia Beach. A painter, her passion for painting began when she was in college at Saint Mary’s in North Carolina and continued until the time of her passing. She always loved taking walks in the mountains surrounding her home in Blue Grass, which became the inspiration for many of her paintings. Minor always made new friends everywhere she went, and people often marveled at her sweet nature and sunny disposition.

Minor was preceded in death by her husband, The Honorable Thomas Randolph McNamara, on March 13, 2005; son, William Allison Thomas, Jr.; and daughter, Elizabeth Thomas Currie.

Family members include her children, Sally Thomas Thompson of Staunton and Molly Jordan Angevine of Charlottesville; eight grandchildren; as well as six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her husband’s children, Thomas Randolph McNamara, Jr. of Arlington (Angela), John White McNamara of Alameda, CA, Mary Bradford White of Portsmouth (Clint), David Brooke McNamara II of Hollister, CA, Leigh Douglas McNamara of San Francisco, CA (Melissa), Robert Hadley McNamara of Portsmouth; and her husband’s seven grandchildren. In addition, Minor is survived by a host of extended family: nieces, nephews, and friends she loved dearly.

The family extends special thanks to the staff at Morningside of Charlottesville, who took such great care of Minor and loved her so.

A memorial service will be held 1 p.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Blue Grass, with the Rev. Dr. Helen Beasley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to The Alzheimer’s Association, Donate Online: https://www.alz.org/donate, Donate by phone: 1.800.272.3900, Donate by mail: P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.