Claudia H. Faherty

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Claudia Hutchison Faherty, a beloved spouse, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, friend, and faithful servant of God, who was called to her eternal rest on June 7, 2025, at the age of 75. She slipped away peacefully at home in the arms of her husband and five children. Claudia was born on October 9, 1949, in St. Louis, Missouri, where she met, fell in love with, and married her husband of 56 years, Robert L. Faherty. After leaving St. Louis, they lived in Chicago and Lake Zurich, Illinois, and in Algonac, Michigan, before moving to Alexandria, Virginia, in 1977. Claudia lived a life centered on her faith, her family, and the service of others. A lifelong Catholic, Claudia deeply embraced the reforms of Vatican Council II and actively participated in the life of the Church in her local parish wherever she lived. She was a member of prayer groups that were dear to her, and she served in numerous ministries over the years, particularly connected to liturgy, hospitality, and issues of social justice. A dedicated educator, Claudia spent 28 years teaching at St. Louis Catholic School in Alexandria, first as a reading instructor and then as a kindergarten teacher. She shaped the lives of countless young students with wisdom, kindness, and grace, and guided their parents in the process of educating their children. Above all, she was a devoted mother to her five children: Kathleen Faherty McNutt (Geoff), Timothy Robert Faherty (Sara), Mark Robert Faherty, Megan Elizabeth Faherty, and Bridget Faherty Flaaen (Aaron). She was the proud grandmother of eleven: Kaitlyn McNutt Gerke (Stephen), Megan McNutt Newell (Timothy), Camryn McNutt, Morgan McNutt, Connor McNutt, Justin Faherty, Lauren Faherty, Ryan Faherty, McKenna Flaaen, Benjamin Flaaen, Maura Flaaen; and great grandmother of two: Walker Gerke and Brooks Newell. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, creating and passing on traditions, witnessing her faith, and sharing her unconditional love. Throughout her life Claudia served others and her community through volunteer work. Some of her significant contributions were to the food pantry at United Community, the bread ministry organized by the Knights of Columbus and Arlington Diocese Catholic Charities, the Northern Virginia Swim League, and the various schools her children attended and the many clubs they joined. Claudia was preceded in death by her parents Claude C. and Margaret Ann (Chapman) Hutchison and her brother Thomas C. Hutchison. Like them, Claudia was an excellent dancer. She loved to cook and sew, organized formal tea parties for her granddaughters and festive holiday gingerbread-decorating parties for all comers, made elaborate Christmas stockings for her grandchildren and their spouses. She enjoyed the theater and would sing all the show songs. She loved to travel and was hoping to go again to her ancestral Scotland and Ireland. She was a fine athlete, playing on her high school basketball team and being competitive in tennis and golf and most any game. She vigorously chaired the annual family football and March Madness pools and lustily cheered on her favorite college and professional teams, most especially the St. Louis Cardinals. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday, June 13, at 10:30 am, followed by burial at Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, Virginia. Visitation will be held at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, Alexandria, Virginia, on Thursday, June 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bishop Ireton High School, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, St. Louis School, or United Community.

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Claudia H. Faherty

October 9, 1949 - June 7, 2025