Former Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley's Memorial Services Shared

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Funeral services for former Alexandria Mayor Kerry Donley, who died last week, have been announced by Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home.

A memorial gathering is planned Sunday, July 24 at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home, 1500 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA. Guests are welcome from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 6:30 pm.

A funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. Monday, July 25 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1427 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA. The internment will be private.

Information about memorial contributions will be shared at a later time. Condolences may be shared through Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home.

Donley died unexpectedly last Wednesday at age 66. He was elected to City Council in 1988, served as mayor from 1996 to 2003 and was elected to City Council again in 2009 until 2012. His time on City Council included two terms as vice mayor, and he was a past chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia. In 2015, Donley ran again for mayor against incumbent Mayor Bill Euille and Allison Silberberg, but Silberberg won the primary and general election. Donley's most recent work was as senior vice president at John Marshall Bank.

Donley was also involved in numerous community positions, including the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership board, Alexandria Transit Company Board of Directors, Scholarship Fund of Alexandria board, Alexandria Senior Services board, Alexandria Renew Enterprises board, Center for Alexandria's Children board, Carpenter's Shelter's board, Alexandria United Way and Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy board.

Donley is survived by his wife, Eva, their five daughters and five grandchildren (soon to be six).

Various officials and organizations remembered Donley as a dedicated local leader.

"So much of our progress is built on the transformational work that Kerry led," Mayor Justin Wilson shared in a tweet. "More importantly, he was a friend and I will miss him. Please keep Eva, his daughters and family in your thoughts."

"Kerry Donley and I met as mayors, and that experience forged a strong bond between us," shared Sen. Time Kaine in a statement. "He was a wonderful civic leader, a devoted public servant, and a good friend. He will be greatly missed."

"I am heartbroken by the loss of Kerry Donley, and send my condolences to his family," wrote Rep. Don Beyer, who represents Alexandria. "He gave so much of himself to Alexandria, and never stopped working so hard in so many ways to make his community a better place."

Julie Carey, the Northern Virginia Bureau Chief for NBC4, shared a recent encounter with Donley for a story on Meals on Wheels, where he volunteered. Carey said he always mentioned his wife, Eva, and their daughters, in their conversations.

"He shared that he’d just retired — and was thrilled with the decision — but naturally Kerry hadn’t stepped away from community life," Carey wrote in a Facebook post. "He spoke about Meals on Wheels with his usual upbeat, boundless enthusiasm."

Carpenter's Shelter, another organization Donley was a part of, shared a photo of him at the shelter's kitchen.

"We have lost a true supporter, champion, and friend," Carpenter's Shelter shared in a tweet. "Kerry Donley was a board alum and ringleader behind our building redevelopment. Our hearts go out to his family."