Margaret Downes Andino

Margaret Downes Andino, 89, of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away on June 18, 2025.
Margaret was born on January 8, 1936, in Manhattan, NY to Margaret Mary (Lynch) and Stephen Alphonsus Downes. Margaret was the last of ten children (Robert, Stephen, Nicholas, Bernadette, John, Thomas, Anne, William, and Joseph) raised in the Downes' home, all who preceded her in death.
Margaret married Paul John Andino (p. 2017), and they raised two boys who survive them, Mark Burkhardt and Curt Downes Andino.
Margaret worked at George Mason University for twenty years in the Department of Public Administration, the Page Program, and the Honors Program. In each student she worked with she saw a future leader better prepared through thoughtful and individualized counseling and advocacy. If you were one of the students she worked with- you meant the world to her.
Margaret spent 35 years learning the Spanish language to no avail. Her career as a pianist, while briefer, yielded similar results. As a gardener, however, she was rarely matched and spent countless hours developing the classical terraced gardens surrounding her home.
The Catholic Church was an important part of her life. Baptized into the Holy Roman Church as an infant, Margaret saw the Gospels as an assignment- especially the Works of Mercy. Visiting the sick and imprisoned were parts of her life, as were charity for the poor, food for the hungry, and welcoming the stranger as you would welcome Christ. Margaret was a Lector at St. Mary's of Sorrows for 16 years; she saw this opportunity as one of her greatest joys.
Margaret saw civic engagement as an individual responsibility and an essential duty of citizenship. Her life exemplified this belief. When asked to serve, she showed up. Margaret was co-Chair of the Fairfax County Park Authority; she also served as a Director on the Fairfax County Water Authority. Her most enjoyable role, however, was her term as president of the Kings Park West Civic Association.
Margaret and Paul were nominated to be Lady and Lord Fairfax to honor their service to the community.
Per her request- In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting WETA or your local public radio station in her memory.
Arrangements to follow.