Stephen Francis McNally

1952 - 2023

McNally

Stephen Francis McNally

Steve died on August 18, 2023 of pulmonary fibrosis. He was born on February 27, 1952 to Joan and John McNally and was later joined by his sister, Patricia. His parents and sister pre-deceased him. He is survived by his wife Beth, stepchildren Meghan Elder and Cullen Shannon, and cousin, John Ward.

Steve grew up in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood in Flatbush, NY, alongside a large extended family. After becoming class president in high school, he attended State University of New York at New Paltz, studying Asian and Egyptian history which became a lifelong passion. Despite plans to work with the Foreign Service, his gift of gab led him to a legendary sales career.

Relocating to Washington, DC, Steve became one of the most respected Sales Managers in the intelligence community. Known as a trusted liaison who loved his country, he built a sparkling reputation as an honest broker through decades of major transactions with key agencies.

In 2001, he married the love of his life, Beth Shannon. Steve was often the life of the party, a skilled storyteller capable of instant connection. His closest friend, Don Begley, who shared these traits, died just three days after Steve; both wives are convinced they're playing golf in the great beyond. Steve loved travel, politics, the stock market and Andrea Mitchell, insisting on watching her on the day of his death (Beth humored him about Andrea).

Despite never speaking of it, Steve regularly donated to dozens of charitable organizations. He was a generous, warm, jovial, upstanding man to his final days, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Donations can be made to either Make-A-Wish Foundation or Doorways of Arlington.

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, VA at 1 p.m. on September 14, 2023.