Mary McLaney Mohr

1933 - 2024

Mary McLaney Mohr

December 9, 1933 - September 25, 2024

MOHR, Mary McLaney departed from this life on September 25, 2024. Born in 1933 to Joseph and Margaret McLaney in her cherished city of Charlotte, Mary was the last surviving sibling of three, joining her brothers Joe Jr., and Jack in eternal rest.

Mary exhibited an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She attended Central High School, then went on to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Queens College in Charlotte, NC, where she received her Bachelor of Arts. In a bold move for the 1950s, she traveled to Europe with friends after graduation, embodying a spirit of adventure that defined her life.

Upon her return from Europe, Mary moved to Richmond and attended the General Assembly's Training School for Lay Workers and received her Masters Degree in Christian education. Mary also lived in London, England, for several months, where she developed a lifelong love for British history and culture. In 1960 she married William Thompson with whom she raised two wonderful sons, William Jr. ("Tommy") and John. The young family lived briefly in Richmond before moving to Rocky Mount, NC, and eventually to the Washington, DC area, settling in Alexandria, VA. There, Mary began her fulfilling career in Human Resources at the U.S. Department of Justice, where she found great joy in helping others to begin their long and fruitful careers in civil service.

In 1993, Mary married Charles Mohr, her kindred spirit. Chuck brought three daughters and six grandchildren into her life, all of whom she embraced as her own. The couple embarked on various travel adventures, ranging from the Pacific Northwest, to Hawaii, to Russia. Mary's love for exploration was evident; mention any country, and she would regale you with and stories and photos from her travels.

Mary played the piano and had a lifelong love of singing. She was always a leading member of her church choir, and in 1976, she even did a solo program for the Daughters of the American Revolution. Later she joined the chorus at Covenant Woods, the retirement community where she and Chuck made their home in their later years. She was also an avid reader and student of British history, with a keen knowledge of the lines of succession going back to William the Conquerer. She was never without her local paper and enjoyed completing the daily crossword puzzle and sudoku. She was a charming and insightful woman with a quick sense of humor and she impressed all who knew her with her wit and charm. Her warm spirit and kindness touched everyone she met.

Mary is survived by her beloved children, Tommy (Lisa) and John (Cathy), and her cherished grandchildren, Tully, Julia, Mateo, and Steve. She was preceded in death by her dear husband, Chuck.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date. In honor of Mary's legacy, her family encourages everyone to follow their passions, find joy in life and share it with those around you, just as she did.