Obituary of Shirley N. MacPherson

SPRINGFIELD, VA — Shirley Nason (Skit) MacPherson, 87, passed away November 17, 2012. An eight-year resident of Greenspring Village, Skit is finally at rest after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. The youngest child of Emma Temple and Walton Hooker Nason, Skit was born on March 27, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA and grew up with her siblings, Walton H., Jr. (Toppy) and Barbara (Bobby/Wamper) in Swarthmore, PA. She and her sister were avid lacrosse players at Swarthmore High School – a memory Skit spoke of often even as memories began escaping her. She went on to study Commercial Art at Philadelphia School of Art and soon became a successful illustrator and graphic artist. Skit was married in Philadelphia to James Reeve MacPherson, an aeronautical engineer, on Memorial Day of 1952. After the birth of their first daughter (Robin), they moved to Los Angeles, CA then Kansas City, KS, where their first son (Jay) was born. Skit and Jim ultimately settled in Falls Church, VA, where a second son (Bruce) and second daughter (Amy) were born. They lived in the same house for 44 years, where Skit raised her family, decorated, created art and gardened with abundant creative flair. This quote from her great-nephew, J.P. Bowditch, III, perfectly sums up her many talents, “I’ll be thinking of Skit and how beautifully she colored the lives of the family whose fortune it was to know and love her. The many products of her creativity will remain an inspiration to me.” This wonderful woman was sadly predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Jim (Reeve), as well as her parents, brother and beloved sister. Surviving are her children: Robin Paige MacPherson of Virginia Beach, VA; James Reeve (Jay) MacPherson, Jr., PhD. and his wife Jennifer of Eugene, OR; Bruce Walton MacPherson and his wife Debbie of Vienna, VA; and Amy Nason MacPherson of Herndon, VA. Skit is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Kayleigh Britt MacPherson of Philadelphia, PA; Hunter Bryce MacPherson of Vienna, VA; Josie Lewis of Richmond, VA; Evan MacPherson Drake of Virginia Beach, VA; and Riley Connor MacPherson and Ruby Olivia MacPherson of Eugene, OR. Also surviving are her brother-in-law, James P. (Jimmy) Bowditch; nephews, Penn and Peter Bowditch, Peter (Kerie) Corriston and Tom Nason; niece, Debbie Nason-Naples; and their wonderful families; and last but not least, special life-long friends, Jeanie and Stu Dance, Wally Anderson and their wonderful families. The family would like to thank the third-floor staff of the Renaissance Center at Greenspring Village for the years of loving care they gave to Skit. We can’t thank you enough. The family will hold a Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends in the spring of 2013 (date and location yet to be determined). Interment will be private at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA. In Skit’s memory, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter, 3701 Pender Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.