ALICE MCNAMARA

McNAMARA Alice Porter McNamara (Age 91) Formerly of Chevy Chase, passed away June 27, 2017 after a brief illness. Alice was the devoted matriarch of a large extended family, a close friend to many, a devout Catholic, and passionate for learning during her entire life. Alice was born April 13, 1926 in Belmont, MA, the youngest daughter of Helen (Linehan) and Andrew Joseph Porter. She received a bachelor"s degree from Trinity College in Washington in 1948, and a Master of Library Science from Simmons College in Boston in 1949. She was predeceased in May 1963 by her husband, Joseph M. McNamara. Alice is survived by their seven children, Joseph M., Jr. (Lois) of Catonsville, MD, David (Amy) of Chappaqua, NY; Jerome (Mary Jo) of Silver Spring, MD, Peter (Judy) of Ellicott City, MD, James (Kathy) of Pfafftown, NC, Andrew (Victoria) of Washington and Mary Alice Goucher (Tim) of Towson, MD; plus 16 grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. Widowed at 37, Alice raised her seven young children while working as the librarian at their grade school, and later at the engineering firm MPR Associates. Her many passions included reading, the Washington Redskins, archeology, camping, and volunteering at all levels of Blessed Sacrament School and Church. In 1978, in recognition of her many contributions, Trinity College awarded Alice with its highest alumna honor, the St. Julie Billiart award. A viewing will be held at the Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, MD (Valet parking) on Thursday, July 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 14 at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St., NW, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alice's memory to: The Carmelite Monastery, 1318 Dulaney Valley Rd., Baltimore, MD 21286; or to Trinity Washington University, Office of Development, 125 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20017.A viewing will be held at the Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, MD (Valet parking) on Thursday, July 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 14 at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St., NW, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Alice's memory to: The Carmelite Monastery, 1318 Dulaney Valley Rd., Baltimore, MD 21286; or to Trinity Washington University, Office of Development, 125 Michigan Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20017. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com