Catherine Rickard Nightingale

Catherine Rickard Nightingale, 71, of Victoria Park retirement community in Woodbridge, passed away peacefully on Nov. 18. She died from multiple complications related to diabetes and congestive heart failure. Ms. Nightingale was born in Dublin, Ireland, to the late Luke and Jane Rickard. She emigrated to the United States in search of adventure and opportunities in 1964 and resided in the Washington, D.C., region. She became a United States citizen in 1996. Ms. Nightingale worked as a housekeeper at Potomac Hospital for over 15 years. In her retirement, she was an active resident of Victoria Park retirement community. In addition to being an avid bingo player, she was involved with planning and organizing special events for community residents. Survivors include five children, Scarlett Tausen of Taneytown, Md., Vienna Nightingale of Chicago, Ill., Winchester Nightingale of Portland, Ore., Amber Nightingale and Victoria Nightingale of Alexandria, Va.; sisters, Mae Checkon of Dale City, Va., Rose Honan and Ellen Carroll of Dublin, Ireland, and Clare Kay of Lancashire, England; brothers, Mark Rickard of Dublin, Ireland, Frank Rickard of County Wicklow, Ireland, and Hughie Rickard of Lancashire, England; grandchildren, Christopher Tausen, Kelly Tausen, and Bailey Tausen of Taneytown, Md., and Amber Nightingale of Morrill, Neb. She was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Rickard of Dublin, Ireland; brothers, Luke Rickard of Lancashire, England, and Thomas Rickard of London, England. Her sassiness, wittiness, and story-telling charm will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A wake will be held from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at Mountcastle Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd., Dale City, VA 22193. The funeral service will follow the wake at Mountcastle Funeral Home. Friends and family are welcome to attend a reception following the service at Ms. Nightingale's home, 16820 Flotilla Way, Woodbridge, VA 22191. A memorial contribution may be made in the form of a donation to: Capital Hospice 6565 Arlington Blvd., Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042. Sign the guestbook at PotomacNews.com.