Obituaries: Lila Elizabeth 'Beth' Chisman, Lillian Ann Wells

Loudoun County remembers residents who died last week.

Two Loudoun County residents who died last week are being remembered by the Loudoun Funeral Chapel. Lila Elizabeth “Beth” Chisman, 63, died Aug. 2 after a brief illness. She lived in Purcellville at the time of her death. The labor and delivery nurse at Fair Oaks Hospital "was the most amazing, loving, generous, vibrant and spirited mother, sister, grandmother, daughter, friend and nurse," _her obituary reads._ A memorial service is planned for noon Aug. 25 at St. James Episcopal Church in Leesburg . Lillian Ann Wells, 90, died Aug. 6 in Leesburg.  Wells was “ a loving wife, homemaker and grandmother. She was a resident of Madison House for many years and was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church,” according to her obituary. …

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World Bank Consultant Richard Clifford Dies

Clifford, a Purcellville resident, worked all over the world, from Nicaragua and Mexico to Russia, India and beyond.

Richard Clifford, 60, of Purcellville, VA, a consultant for the World Bank, died unexpectedly April 26, 2012, while on business in New Delhi, India. Born in New Haven, CT, Richard Lawrence Clifford was the son of the late Dr. Joseph Campbell Clifford and Virginia Marie (Harkin) Clifford of Hamden, CT. He graduated in 1969 from the Hopkins School in New Haven and received his B.S.F.S. in 1973 from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. Following university, he received an M.SC. degree in Agricultural Economics in 1974 from Keble College, Oxford University, England. That same year he married Katherine Carey of Newport, RI, and, shortly after finishing graduate school, they joined the Peace Corps together to serve in Nicaragua. They were …

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Former WAGE Radio Personality Paul Draisey Dies

Draisey first appeared on air at age 10 and later covered a Mt. Weather airplane crash in 1974

Letter to the Editor

LTE: Hillsboro Resident Questions Higgins' Stand on Rail

Opinions around the county continue to flow as the Loudoun Board of Supervisors begin rail discussion.

Dear Editor: The following is a letter I sent to Geary Higgins following last week's Town Hall Meeting held in Lovettsville, VA.  Mr. Higgins says that he needs to look at all the information, he is "very concerned about the capital construction and long term costs associated with joining a system which is governed by unelected boards (MWAA and WMATA) that are controlled by Maryland and the District of Columbia," and "will not support the project if it is to be laid upon the backs of Loudoun's families," but he is still unable to commit to a position of opposing the Loudoun Rail Project.  Now is the time for true leadership in order to protect Loudoun County citizens from endless taxation, instead of political games.  I offer my letter …

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Rob Jones

6:52 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012

I have, and have actually heard back from two of them. If what you say is true, my guess is that the pro-rail interests are well-funded or well-organized in the usual astro-turfing manner. The voices against rail have very specific, researched and thoughtful points. The pro-rail voices are more generalized, lack specificity, and tend to parrot somewhat partisan slogans that fall apart under …   more ›

Letter to the Editor

LTE: Remembering Cameron … Grieving for One of Our Own

An Ashburn resident pays tribute to the young girl who befriended her son.

2:40 a.m.—I awoke to the feeling of tears streaming down my face and a heavy heart. A black cloud has settled over Ashburn. In this community 30 miles west of Washington, DC, parents, coaches, teachers and children are mourning the loss of a 14-year-old young woman whose light was snuffed out entirely too soon. Cameron Carter’s death does not fall into the category of “things happen for a reason.” There is no justifiable reason for her passing. Cameron uplifted and touched every person that knew her. Her smile warmed and illuminated every room she entered. Her hugs wrapped around you like your favorite blanket on a frigid night. For those that wonder why people live “in the middle of nowhere” when they live in Ashburn, the answer for those…

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Former Dulles Supervisor Stephen J. Snow Dies

Snow pushed for much needed services along Route 50, worked on behalf of Loudoun's youth.

Bishop O'Connell Mourns the Death of a Beloved Coach

Arlington high school football coach and mentor Steve Trimble passed away today.

The Bishop O'Connell community is mourning the death of a beloved coach and mentor, Steve Trimble, who passed away today. Preliminary reports suggest that Trimble, an Ashburn resident, suffered a heart attack.  O'Connell posted the following message on their website:  "It is with a heavy heart that we let our school community know of the passing today of Mr. Steve Trimble, beloved mentor and football coach at Bishop O'Connell High School since 1999. Mr. Trimble is survived by his wife, Gretchen, and four sons: Jeremy, Jordan, Justin and Joshua. The Trimble family is in our hearts and our prayers today. We will pass along funeral arrangements when they become available."

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Loudoun Supervisors Honor J. Warren Geurin

The Sterling District school board member earned high praise for his years of service.

Members of the Loudoun Board of Supervisors on Tuesday honored J. Warren Geurin, who died Saturday after battling cancer. Geurin served as the Sterling District representative on the Loudoun School Board for 12 years and, despite his health, attended the budget vote last month. “Mr. Geurin was working right ‘til the end,” said Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling), who added that Geurin’s death has left him at a loss. “Warren had an impact on me. He was a great team member for me. He’s done so much. He’s hung out at schools. He was everywhere. He’s still probably got some memos waiting for us to get to.” County Chairman Scott K. York (I-At Large) summed his thoughts up in one sentence: “Warren you will be missed.” Supervisor Stevens …

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Evergreen Mill Elementary Principal Laurie McDonald Passes Away

Long-time LCPS principal Laurie McDonald passed away April 3 after a battle with cancer.

Laurie McDonald, principal of Evergreen Mill Elementary School passed away Sunday after a battle with cancer. McDonald had worked in various positions within the Loudoun County school system for 38 years. McDonald's career in education began in 1972 when she became an elementary school teacher at Congressional Private School in Falls Church. She began teaching at Guilford Elementary the following year while she earned her master's degree in guidance and counseling from George Mason University. She remained at Guilford until she received her first assistant principal position in 1979 at Sully Elementary. Following Sully, McDonald served as assistant principal at Sugarland Elementary before being appointed principal of the new Ashburn …

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Youth Soccer Coach, Ashburn Resident Ty Lewis Dies

The former South Lakes High School soccer player returned to coach in Reston after playing college ball at Atlantic Christian College.

Local soccer coach Ty Lewis died Saturday at the age of 44. Reston Patch profiled Lewis in February, when his family and friends held a walk at Lake Anne to benefit the Ty Lewis Cancer Foundation. Lewis, a resident of Ashburn and former human resources administrator, played soccer at South Lakes High School in Reston for four years and then played for Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC. He started coaching Reston Youth Soccer in 1994. Through several surgeries and more than three years of treatment, he remained a dedicated coach of the U16 Reston Knights boys team. He is survived by wife, Shannon and children Christopher and Samantha. He is also survived by his parents, Larry and Cindy Lewis, and sister, Stacy. A memorial gathering …

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