History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.

Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind, because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

Our History

Our History

In1977, William “Bill” J. McDonough  and his brother-in-law Robert L. Potterfield III, saw the need for a new funeral home in Leesburg, Virginia. A funeral home that would put great emphasis on the service aspects of the industry and serve each family without regard to race, creed or station in life, with the highest quality of professional service and sincerity.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held and after 11 months of construction, our family was able to offer the families of Loudoun County a funeral home that was built just for funeral services, all on one floor with a formal chapel and rooms large enough to accommodate most families' needs. 

This was the first time that families of Leesburg had a choice in funeral homes for their final tribute to their loved one.Bill and Robert were partners in the business for 12 years before Robert sold his interest to Bill and Shirley in 1989. Over the next ten years, the McDonough children, Kathy, Bill, and Mark, were educated and devoted to continuing the business. 

In July of 2002 after a 7 year battle with Luekemia, the Loudoun community lost a loving and dedicated servant.Bill’s wife, Shirley Potterfield McDonough, children, and grandchildren and wonderful staff have continued to provide the same quality of professional service to families.

Brown Funeral Homes History

In August 1980 the Brown Funeral Home of Lovettsville, Virginia was purchased from Renice and his wife Lucille Brown. Brown Funeral Home began as a furniture and coffin business operated by Elijah Goodhart up until the early 1920s.

John D. Brown, a former banker in Brunswick, Maryland, then purchased the business. Mr. Brown’s sons Renice and Wendell operated the business and built the building in 1938 that the funeral home is still providing services in today. Wendell sold his portion of the business to his brother in 1940 and began working for the Railroad.

Families continued to use their homes for visitations as they always had until around 1942. During this year they began to see more families interested in using the funeral home. Families began to be more interested in using a building that had larger rooms than most homes to accommodate their friends. The Brown family operated the business for over sixty years before selling the business to Loudoun Funeral Chapel in 1980. The family was honored to carry on the legacy of serving families in Lovettsville and local areas. The Potterfield's had a deep connection to the town as one of the first founding families. 

Brown's went through many building improvements to meet the needs of the community, and continued to remain open for 32 years.In 2012 Lovettsville operations were consolidated to one Chapel in Leesburg; where families have access to all the services offered including a larger chapel, family rooms for visitation, a childrens room, reception room, on site crematory, and monument sales.

We would like to thank the community for the years of trust placed in us. We stand ready to serve and continue the level of professionalism you have become accustom.

The McDonough Family, 2021

The McDonough Family, in 1978


Our Valued Staff

  • William J. McDonough

    William J. McDonough, Founder

    William J. McDonough, passed peacefully on July 30, 2002 at home in Leesburg with his family by his side. Born February 12, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late Joseph J. and Kathryne P. McDonough.Bill graduated from Arlington County Public Schools, and then Roanoke College in 1961 and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in Louisville, Kentucky in 1968.Bills career in funeral service began in high school by washing cars and running errands as a summer job at a local funeral home. Murphy Funeral Home opened the door to a career in funeral service and a lasting legacy.

  • Shirley McDonough

    Shirley McDonough, President

    Shirley and her late husband, William, were founders of Loudoun Funeral Chapels. She has been a life long resident of Loudoun County, being a Potterfield, Shirley is proud of her family's ancestors being one of the founders of Lovettsville. Shirley is involved in many civic activities including a lifetime member of the Rebecca's Lodge as well as a member of Leesburg United Methodist Church and Chairman of the Kathryn Eye Circle. Shirley and her family have dedicated their lives to serving the community.

  • Bill McDonough

    Bill McDonough, Funeral Director

    Bill attended Loudoun County Public Schools growing up and graduated in 1991 from Loudoun County High. He holds a mortuary science degree from Gupton Jones Collage of Mortuary Science, Atlanta, Georgia. He has been with the funeral home since 1991 and manages many aspects of the family business. Bill resides in Leesburg, Virginia, with his wife and children.

  • Kathryn McDonough Webb

    Kathryn McDonough Webb, Managing Director/ Funeral Director

    A life long resident of Loudoun, Kathryn is a 1989 graduate of Loudoun County High. She graduated in 1997, Magna Cum Laude from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science, Atlanta, Georgia.She has been dedicated to the family business since 1994 and began managing the funeral home when her father passed in 2002. She is a proud Mom of three amazing young adult children, that are all envolved in the family business.Matthew who is the newest director on staff; Meghan who handles clerical duties in the business and is a college student; and Morgan who is serving her internship to become a director.Kathryn and her family resides in Paeonian Springs. She enjoys gardening and staying active.

  • Mark McDonough

    Mark McDonough, Monument Sales /Funeral Attendant/ IT Manager

    Mark, a life long resident of Leesburg, attended Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg, VA, and graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. At Loudoun Funeral Chapels, Mark helps with many aspects of funeral service, including managing the IT department and manages our monument division.

  • Matthew Webb McDonough

    Matthew Webb McDonough, Assistant Managing Director / Funeral Director

    Matt is a life long resident of Leesburg. He is a graduate of Loudoun County High School, class of 2012. He attended Radford University, and is a graduate of the John Tyler Mortuary Science Department in Richmond, VA.Matt has been active in funeral service since he was 16. He is devoted to serving the community. Matt is the third generation of funeral directors in the McDonough family.Matt lives in Leesburg with his wife Polina and son Miles. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf.

  • Meghan Elizabeth Webb

    Meghan Elizabeth Webb, Funeral Attendant/ Administrative Assistant

    Meghan is a Leesburg native. She is a graduate of Loudoun County High School and student at Northern Virginia Community College. Meghan is part of the McDonough family legacy.

  • Alyssa Alvarado

    Alyssa Alvarado, Funeral Attendant

    Alyssa is a graduate of Loudoun County High School. Alyssa attends AVI Career Training in Vienna, Virginia, and is currently enrolled in the esthetician program. She assists the staff part time as a Funeral Attendant.

  • Morgan L Webb

    Morgan L Webb, Funeral Service Intern

  • R. Scott Lison

    R. Scott Lison, Funeral Attendant

  • Joshua Hash

    Joshua Hash, Funeral Service Intern

    Josh is originally from Roanoke, VA.Josh has 3 amazing and talented children. Josh graduated from William Fleming High School in the class of 2012. He is currently enrolled at Brightpoint Community College, formally known as John Tyler, where he plans to graduate in June of 2024 with a degree in Mortuary Science. Josh is an active member in his community where he volunteers his free time to ensure a safe, strong environment.

  • Jumeka Cox

    Jumeka Cox, Funeral Director