MORAN, Megan Dougherty, died suddenly on March 20, 2024 at VCU Medical Center in Richmond, VA at the age of 55. She was born in Oxnard, CA on August 16, 1968 to Daniel and JoAnne Dougherty. Megan was preceded in death one month ago by her father, Daniel Theodore Dougherty. She is survived by her mother, JoAnne Barco; her husband of 29 years, Michael "Mick" Lewis Moran Jr.; her brother, Danny Dougherty (Nene); her children, Bailey Hutchins Moran and Jack Reilly Moran; her nieces, Lauren Bolander (Avery), Mary Rives Evans (Chris), Maggie McVey (Harrison), Gracie Dougherty; her great-nieces and nephews, Danny, Mary Charles, and Sue Bolander and Thomas Evans; her uncle, Terry Barco (Joanne); her aunt, Betty Griggs Barco; and her cousins, Susan Barco, Joe Barco, Tim Barco (Gina), Rachel Beck (George), and Bailey Barco (Amy).

Megan grew up in the Salisbury neighborhood in Midlothian, VA where she was a cheerleader at Midlothian High School. She attended college at Elon before graduating with an Interior Design Degree from Mount Vernon College in Washington, DC. After visiting her friend Kristin Root Boettner in Hilton Head, SC, she moved there and met Mick while working together at Patti Arbuckles. Megan moved to Atlanta with her sights set on beginning her Interior Design career and Mick soon followed. The couple was married at Salisbury Presbyterian Church before moving to Melbourne, FL and then Tampa, where Bailey was born. Family was always in the forefront of Megan's thoughts and this helped guide their move to Virginia Beach where she and Mick were able to be near her parents and brother's family for four great years during which time Jack was born. Megan was putting to work her amazing individual flair for color and style there with Panache Interiors.

In 2001 it was time for a change of scenery and, as a reflection of how Megan always knew what was best for her family, they settled permanently in Salisbury. Megan started and thrived in her own design firm, Pink Hippo Interiors, helping add unique character to her customers' homes. Mick, Bailey, and Jack were the center of her universe and after a few years she pulled back from design so that she could focus all of her energy on supporting the boys through school, countless sports, and activities. She devoted every minute to her boys and, whether with them or not, she was always thinking of ways to anticipate their needs.

Megan was a daughter; she was a sister; she was a friend; she was a wife; she was a mom; she was an aunt – no, she was the cool aunt! She was a loving, caring, and giving person, always thinking of others before herself. She formed a tremendous group of friends throughout her life, who were drawn to her fun, creative, and eclectic spirit. She had a way of connecting with people, always lending an ear and showing that she cared deeply about them. She always made you feel that you were the only person in the room. Megan's love for her friends and family extended to her dogs, Wiggy, Gracie, and Oakie who were her special friends, supporting her while Mick would travel for work.

Family and friends will be received at Bliley's Funeral Home on Augusta Ave. in Richmond, VA on Tuesday April 2nd. The visitation will be at 12 p.m. and the funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. A reception will take place at Salisbury Country Club immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family suggests making a tribute gift to VCU Health System at Medical College of Virginia Foundation (mcvfoundation.org) by clicking on "Give Now" and then selecting "MCV Foundation Annual Fund" and completing the tribute information in Memory of Megan Moran. Online condolences may be made at www.blileys.com.

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Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Mar. 27, 2024.