Clara Jane McCartney, 83, of Leonardtown, Maryland, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Discovery Commons in Wildwood where she received loving care from the staff for the past three and a half years.
In early 1960, Clara met the love of her life – Myron “Mac” McCartney in Lovettsville and they eloped on June 27, 1960. They had four children: Sherry Lee Quade (Kevin) of Clements, MD, Debra Ann Kalnasy (Paul) of Valley Lee, MD, and Joann Marie Wood (David) of Leonardtown, MD. Clara is survived by her six grandchildren: Michael Andrew Kalnasy (Christina) of Deale, MD; Justin Tyler Kalnasy (Rachel) of Leonardtown, MD; Christopher Ryan Kalnasy (Angela) of Leonardtown, MD; Katelyn Renee Wadsworth (Daniel) of Leonardtown, MD; Joshua David Wood of Waipahu, HI, and Elizabeth Renee McCartney of Leonardtown, MD. Even more joy came into Clara’s life with the birth of four great-granddaughters: Lily Rey Wadsworth, Penelope Tyler Kalnasy, Scarlett Rylee Wadsworth, and Mackenzie Rose Wadsworth. The fifth “great” – a great-grandson is due in October.
Clara was born in Brunswick, MD on October 20, 1942, to William Wright Washington, a farmer, and Mildred Amelia Painter Washington, a former teacher. She grew up with her five siblings in Lovettsville, VA. Three have predeceased her: Mary Elizabeth Gabriel of Berea, KY; William Lee Washington (Pat) of Springfield, VA; Dr. George Edward Washington (Patti) of Purcellville, VA. Clara is survived by Catherine Louise Keller (Jerry) of Lovettsville, VA and Mildred Jean McCammon (John) of Boonsboro, MD.
Clara and Mac first lived in Lovettsville, for a time living in one of her childhood homes, but ultimately settled in St. Mary’s County in the 1960’s. They purchased their home in Leonardtown in 1975, where they raised their four children. Mac gardened and Clara canned – lots and lots of vegetables, jellies, and fruit. Between them, they provided for their children. Clara was an amazing seamstress, sewing and altering clothes for years and upholstering furniture. She sewed many of the clothes worn by her children. The true testament that Clara and Mac displayed for their children was their love for each other. After Mac died in 2008, Clara said there could never be a better man than her husband. And she meant it.
Clara’s passion was raising children – she supported her children throughout their younger years – but also provided day care for many other children. Her great joy was providing those same day care services for her six grandchildren. She loved attending their band concerts, T-ball games, baseball games, soccer games, lacrosse games, swim meets and school plays. She was a fixture with her camera at kids’ events, capturing memories for everyone.
Clara attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park, Maryland for over fifty years, where she served as an elder and sewed “chemo caps” as an outreach program for cancer patients. She became involved with this outreach as she was a two-time cancer survivor.
She will be missed by everyone she knew but truly missed by all the children she helped raise.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, June 27, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., with a Funeral Service held at 10:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Matthew Borrasso, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 46707 S Shangri-La Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653. Interment will follow the conclusions of services at Charles Memorial Gardens, 26325 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you consider donating in her memory to the Care Pantry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park, MD.
Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
