Bill Garrity

Loving mother and sister, passionate and committed professional and dear friend died suddenly on July 25, 2013, at home. She was 62 years old. She was born and raised in Aberdeen, Washington and had a distinguished career in international health and education working for AED, Peace Corps and USAID. She was an international woman, speaking Spanish fluently, comfortable in many countries and living long-term in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia. She was committed to improving the health and saving lives of those less fortunate and leaves a legacy of significant improvements in nutrition, maternal and child health, and HIV programming. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Barbara Berken and her brother, Todd Berken. She is survived by her daughters, Lea, 28 and Rosina 18, her sister, Bly Berken, and brothers, Scott (Lori) and Peter Berken, and nephews Caleb and Jared Berken.

Janet will always be remembered for the passion, generosity and laughter that were part of everything she did.

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William Garrity, of Washington, DC, died June 7, 2013, at Georgetown University Hospital from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Bill was born February 21, 1936, near Davenport, Iowa, to Eileen Honore Quinn and Harry Patrick Garrity. He grew up in Davenport, and received his English literature and history degrees from Marquette University. In 1957, he entered Georgetown University, where he earned his law degree, and has lived in Washington since then. He served as Assistant Commissioner of the U.S. District Court in Washington for 13 years, as a contracting officer for the Department of Energy and the Department of Interior, and, for 10 years before his 1997 retirement, at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

He was a fount of information on history, world events, and the performing and fine arts in Washington, as well as on the many cultures he had the opportunity to explore. He attended and volunteered at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, and enjoyed the company of his wonderful friends there, especially Fr. Jack Hurley.

Bill is survived by three brothers, Harry Lee Garrity (wife, Shirley) of DeWitt, Iowa, Michael J. Garrity (wife, Diane) of Dubuque, Iowa, and Joseph G. Garrity (wife, Bonnie) of Galena, Illinois; one sister, Nancy Jo Waack (husband Jim) of Rutledge, Missouri; 11 nieces and nephews; and an enormous contingent of devoted friends. He was preceded in death by his long-lived and infinitely-loved dachshunds, Tuam and Cleo Louise. A memorial mass will be held at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, Washington, DC, at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 17, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at a later date beside his parents in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, and because of his love for music and theatre, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew’s Cathedral music division and Church Street Theatre.

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