Obituary

Jo Mann Torpy, 95, hospital volunteer

Frankie-Jo “Jo” Mann Torpy, a hospital volunteer and former Alexandria schoolteacher, died Oct. 13 at Inova Alexandria Hospital of heart complications after a brief illness. She was 95.

Born June 23, 1909, in Haywood County, N.C., she moved to the Washington area after college. She lived in the area for 71 years, mostly in Alexandria.

Mrs. Torpy taught science in Alexandria public schools. She set up and was the first director of the planetarium at T.C. Williams High School.

She was elected a ruling elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She also served as a White House volunteer under former Presidents Reagan and Bush.

In 1989, she was named Volunteer of the Year for WJLA-TV’s “7 Salutes 7 Who Care” award for extraordinary public service.

She received the top leadership award from the Camp Fire Girls Inc. She also was a Cub Scout leader.

Her volunteer work also included the American Red Cross. Additionally, she volunteered at the T.C. Williams Library and the Inova Alexandria Hospital, even after becoming legally blind with macular degeneration.

She is survived by a son, Charles Ray Torpy of Kingstowne, Va.; a daughter, Lynn Torpy Skinner of Muskogee, Okla.; five grandchildren and nine great-grand children.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2701 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Inova Alexandria Hospital Volunteer Services, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Va. 22304, or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2701 Cameron Mills Road, Alexandria, Va. 22302.