Mary Virginia Buckley Federal

Mary Virginia Buckley Federal, 103, died peacefully at her home on March 29, 2020, surrounded by family. She was born in Richmond, VA, on January 28, 1917, and moved to Charlotte just six months later and lived here most of her life. Mary Virginia met the love of her life, Robert Keegan Federal, as a toddler in a shoe store on Tryon Street. They married at St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1942 and together they raised their 9 children, moving from Charlotte to Columbus, GA, to suburban Chicago, and happily returning to Charlotte in 1970. The beauty of their marriage and their lifelong relationship was a true example and illustration of love. They were married for over 60 years when he died in 2003. She attended Dilworth Elementary School, Alexander Graham Junior High, Central High, and King's College. As a child, Mary Virginia enjoyed piano and dance classes. She was a talented seamstress and always had a needlework project in the works, be it an afghan for a new baby, Christmas ornaments, or dance costumes for her daughters. She was always the biggest fan in the audience at dance recitals, baseball and football games, and at her sons' many musical performances. She inspired, encouraged, and supported all her children's passions. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed playing bridge with dear friends in various bridge clubs and at Myers Park Country Club, playing even into her 101st year. She loved traveling and was fortunate to have visited Hawaii with her husband and Europe with several of her children. Over the last several years, as beloved matriarch of The Federal Clan, she would be seated atop their float in Charlotte's St. Patrick's Day Parade and honored as their Rose of Tralee. The weekend was a family reunion and one of her favorite events of the year. Mary Virginia was a loyal parishioner at St Gabriel Catholic Church. She was generous, not only with her own family, but as a volunteer in her community. She dedicated time to her children's schools, was active in the garden club, was a member of the Altar Society, and assisted the Little Sisters of the Poor. Mary Virginia ("Mom," "Grandmom") had a wonderful laugh that was heard often, and her joy in life was contagious even in her final days. She welcomed all and made each one feel he was the most important one in the room. She made friends, young and old, and maintained many, many lifetime friendships. She was a mother to many, a friend to all, and she never missed a party (if she could help it). She leaves behind a rich legacy, an Irish-blooded army who will honor her name forever. Her legend and her love will never die, as they live on forever in her family and her countless friends. To know her was to love her, and that love was returned as genuine, unconditional love. In addition to Keegan, her sweetheart, Mary Virginia was predeceased by her brother George Edwin Buckley, Jr. (Peggy); sisters, Trudy Buckley Finley (Jack) and Jane (an infant); and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Celestine F. Noonan (Frank); Howard Charles Federal (Caroline); Bishop J. Lennox Federal; Sr. Enrica Federal; Helen F. Gavin (Ed); W. Aubrey Federal (Eva); and Lillian F. Madden (Dan). She is survived by her devoted children, R. Keegan Federal, Jr. (Rebecca) of St. Marys, GA; and George Michael Federal; Ann Stewart Federal; Mary Virginia "Molly" Federal; Joseph Lennox "Lenny" Federal (Jill); Kathleen F. Finnigan (Barry); Marian F. Phillips (Steve); Joan F. Keane (Pat); and Mark Buckley Federal (Shelley), all of Charlotte. She adored her 29 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, and they all loved her dearly. Grandchildren: Kelly Federal (Margaret), Megan Slipper (Tommy), Cameron Cook (Russell); Steven Smithwick, Case (Kelly McDermott), and Caroline Federal; Jennifer (Cole), Joe (Tracy), and Camille Doucette; J. Keegan Federal; Chris Walker (Sarah), Katie Bostic (Brett), Tim, and Mark Federal; Bobby (Crystal) and Kay Osiecki and Leanne, Sean, and Mary Kate Finnigan; Michael (Sarah), Seth, and Matt Phillips; Brendan Keane (Brooke), Ellen Graham (Tarrell), Mary Suzanne Nunn (Matt), and Kristen Keane; Ashley Federal (Cole Bailey) and Gina Weise (Dylan) Great Grandchildren: Robert, Bryan, Frankie Lee, Asa, Miles, Ally, Bailey, Evan, Walker, Wren, Guy, Dottie, Rita, Jean, Keegan, Mary Katherine, Knox, Rowan, Elliot, Lately, Molly, Shannon, and Theo. She is also survived by Ina Federal, Lori Federal, and a host of nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass and celebration of her life will be held at a later date; a private burial was held by the family at Belmont Abbey Cemetery on Friday, April 3, 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Angels, P.O. Box 710, Belmont, NC 28012-0710, or online at www.holyangelsnc.org. or Novant Health Hospice & Palliative Care, P. O. Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549. In addition, the family would like to express its deepest thanks to Novant Health Hospice and Palliative Care for its care and support of their mother and the family.