Stephen Thomas McLean

1950 - 2023

Stephen Thomas McLean of Charlottesville, Virginia died peacefully at home on September 1, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born on October 26, 1950 in Charlottesville, he was the third of seven children born to Dr. Walter Copley and Margaret Kleppinger McLean.

Proud to be a product of the Charlottesville public school system, Steve graduated from Lane High School. He subsequently went to Princeton University for four of the best years of his life where he played varsity baseball, joined The Cap and Gown Club, and made lifelong friends. After graduation he spent a year working his way across Europe and Asia with friends and considered it one of his top life experiences.

Steve found his way back to Charlottesville in 1973 and discovered his lifelong passion for land and real estate. He co-founded McLean Faulconer Inc. in 1980 and remained President until his retirement in August of this year. The company grew to become the leading real estate firm in central Virginia. Steve loved working with his clients and dedicated his professional life to devotedly serving them. He established deep and personal relationships with many of his clients.

A member of the Board of Directors of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Board of Realtors, Steve served as treasurer, vice president and president. He chaired the Board of Directors of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Chamber of Commerce for 10 years. In addition, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors appointed Steve to the Acquisition of Conservation Easements Committee, a position he held since the inception of the committee. At the state level, he held a four-year appointment by Governor Allen to the Virginia Real Estate Board.

Steve joined the Monticello Cabinet, which recognizes those individuals whose enlightened philanthropy ensures and enhances Monticello's dual mission of preservation and education. He also served two terms on the board of James Madison's Montpelier. At Farmington Country Club he held the positions of treasurer and president and was on the Board of Directors for two terms. Steve was past Chairman of the University of Virginia Physicians Group, as well as a founding member of Charlottesville Tomorrow. Dedicated to his community, he was proud to be a founding member and former Chairman of the Board of the YMCA, which he identified as a critical necessity for the Charlottesville community. He had accepted tenure as a member of the Board of Directors of the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont just prior to his death.

His professional accomplishments notwithstanding, Steve will be remembered for his charm, optimism, wonderful sense of humor, intelligence, unparalleled work ethic, athleticism, ability to do just about anything and everything, and his genuine desire to help as many people as he could.

Most of all, Steve loved and cherished his family and friends. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife of 44 years, his children, and his grandchildren. He discovered the magic of grandparenthood three years ago, and was gifted with a namesake, Poppy McLean Hughes, just two weeks before his death. He was joyously anticipating the birth of his sixth grandchild in December. Steve's paddle, tennis, hunting, golfing, fishing and skiing friends were so important to him, and he pursued those interests with gusto! Spending time at his family farm in Greene County gave him great pleasure, especially if it involved machinery - he could operate any piece of equipment.

Steve was predeceased by his father and his older sister, Patricia Ann McLean. He is survived by his wife, Caroline Wilson McLean, and their three children and their families: Wilson Copley McLean; Margaret (Meg) McLean Dagenhart (James) and their children, Coco and Henry; Elizabeth McLean Hughes (Reagen) and their children, Harrison, Wilson and Poppy; his mother, Peggy; and his siblings, Dr. W. Copley McLean Jr. (Merri), Mark Andrew McLean (Ann), Peter Kleppinger McLean (Carol Ann), Martha McLean Rodgers (Brad), Christopher Laubach McLean (Ashley), along with 25 nieces and nephews.

The burial will be private. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 30th at 4 p.m. at the family's home. Condolences may be sent to the family either directly or to https://jfbellfuneralservices.com/obituaries. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the Walter Copley and Margaret Kleppinger McLean Scholarship Fund (recognizing medical students exhibiting compassionate, patient-centered care), c/o UVA Medical School Foundation, P.O. Box 37963, Boone, IA 50037 (https://www.uvamedalum.org/giving/give-online/); Brooks Family YMCA, 151 McIntire Park Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22902 (https://piedmontymca.org/about-brooks); or Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, P.O. Box 6224, Charlottesville, VA 22906 (https://piedmontgarden.org/).