Michaela Grenata McIntyre's Obituary
Michaela Grenata McIntyre, 97 years old, died on March 6 of this year at The Willows at Meadow Branch, Winchester, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, U.S Army (Retired) Brigadier General Kenneth Edwin McIntyre, and a son, William Hawling McIntyre.
Michaela was born into a military family on March 23, 1927, at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC. Her father, who retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army, was Michael Charles Grenata. Her mother, born and raised in Loudoun County, Virginia, was Aline Devereux Hawling Grenata. Michaela is survived by a younger sister, Rosalee Grenata Comstock, and her husband, Chris, of Longmont, Colorado.
Michaela shared command of a considerable army of her own. She and Ken gave birth to six children over the span of eight years, a considerable feat given Ken’s frequent deployments and extended absences. In birth order, the children are Michael Edwin McIntyre, married to Joyce, of Dublin, Ohio; the late William Hawling McIntyre, married to Heather, of Charles Town, West Virginia; Maile Anne McIntyre Bradfield, married to Terry, of Winchester, Virginia; Kenna Lee McIntyre Juliani, married to Dan, of Wellesley, Massachusetts; James Clayton McIntyre, formerly of Seattle, Washington; and John Philip “Jack” McIntyre, of Rose Valley, Pennsylvania. She had 11 grandchildren, and, as of this moment, 14 great-grandchildren. McIntyres are prolific, though. It’s a near certainty that additional recruits into Michaela’s army will be forthcoming.
Michaela will be remembered by friends as socially active and deeply involved in the community. She served on the Ladies Hospital Board, the Loudoun County Fine Arts Association, and was active in several book and garden clubs, dinner and bridge groups, all of which she hosted often. She was a frequent volunteer at thrift stores, fairs, and benefits. She was a librarian early in her professional life, an elementary school teacher, and a mortgage associate later. She was athletically inclined and enjoyed paddle sports and horseback riding. In fact, family lore has it that her early attraction to Ken stemmed from his position as the general’s aide and his access to the stables at Fort Belvoir. The claim has never been denied or refuted.
Michaela’s greatest pride and her most profound joy were her family. She shepherded them through 17 Army moves as a wife and mother. As the family grew, aged, and scattered, she was intent on gathering everyone once a year at some destination for a week of reunion. Whether at a beach, on a mountain lake, or on Cape Cod, we would assemble, call roll, take stock of our year’s comings and goings, and reinforce the ties that bound us as one large, boisterous, and loving family.
Michaela’s most conspicuous role was as headmistress of Grandmommy Camp, a week-long “cotillion” where the grandchildren were taught the fineries of being proper young ladies and gentlemen, able to function gracefully and respectfully in society. While the young ones still speak of it fondly, and with varying opinions of its effectiveness, the parents still believe it was done to overcome the lack of decent upbringing we were providing. Michaela would never be mistaken for one with low standards.
Michaela’s funeral mass will be conducted at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Leesburg, Virginia, Friday, March 14, 2025, at 2:00 pm. A viewing, to which all are invited, will be 1:00pm – 2:00pm that same day in the reception hall of St. John’s Church. The burial will be at Leesburg Union Cemetery immediately following the funeral mass. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be son, Jack, grandsons Jim Bradfield, Kevin McIntyre, and James McIntyre, and grandsons-in-law Neil Tedrow (Annie), and Adam Reams (Rebecca).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michaela’s memory, to:
Blue Ridge Hospice
ATTN: Development
333 W. Cork St. #405
Winchester, VA 22601
or online at: https://brhospice.org/donate/
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