Joanne Marie Seale, a founding board member of New Eve Maternity Home in Winchester, died Aug. 5 at her home.
Seale was born Oct. 19, 1943, in Peoria, Ill., and graduated from the Academy of Our Lady, Peoria, in 1961. She moved to Fairfax County in 1974. She was active in local politics and at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Winchester. She helped found and remained active with New Eve, a home for homeless pregnant women.
The home provides housing and skills to the women in need, some who move in from cars, sheds, tents and other shelters.
In a 2015 article, “A house becomes a home,” Seale told the Catholic Herald, “One resident asked, ‘Why is everyone doing this for me?’ Unconditional love was not part of her psyche. We said, ‘They love you.’ She said, ‘They don’t even know me.’ ”
Seale was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas McMurray, who died Sept. 11, 1980; and by her second husband, Robert W. Seale, who died Jan. 9, 2021.
She is survived by her children, Maria McMurray Cunningham, Thomas McMurray, Angela McMurray Steele, Elizabeth McMurray Schloemer, Theresa McMurray Jennings, Amanda McMurray DiLorenzo and Megan Seale Davis; and her step-children, Reverend Robert W. Seale Jr. and Reverend Daniel S. Seale; and 44 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian burial was offered Aug. 11 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, followed by burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery.
