Maureen Scalia

Maureen Scalia was an American advocate for Catholic education and the widow of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. A devout Catholic, she was a prominent figure in Washington, D.C. social and charitable circles, known for her steadfast support of her husband's judicial career and her own philanthropic work. Her life was deeply intertwined with the legal community of the nation's capital and the institutions of the Catholic Church in the United States.

Early life and education

Maureen Elizabeth McCarthy was born in Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, and was raised in a devout Irish-American family. She attended St. Augustine Diocesan High School and later pursued higher education at Trinity Washington University, then known as Trinity College, a prominent Catholic university in Washington, D.C.. Her studies at Trinity, located in the Brookland neighborhood, immersed her in the city's academic and religious communities. This educational foundation solidified her lifelong commitment to Catholic intellectual tradition and service.

Marriage and family

While a student at Trinity Washington University, she met Antonin Scalia, who was then a student at the nearby Georgetown University Law Center. The couple married in 1960 at the St. Pius X Church in Yarmouth, Massachusetts. Their marriage produced nine children, one of whom, Eugene Scalia, would later serve as the United States Secretary of Labor under President Donald Trump. The family lived in Chicago and Arlington, Virginia, while Justice Scalia taught at the University of Chicago Law School and later served on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Maureen Scalia was a central figure in managing their large household, often described as the anchor of the family.

Public life and advocacy

As the wife of a Supreme Court Justice, Maureen Scalia was a fixture at official Washington events, including the White House and the Supreme Court building. Her primary public focus was advocacy for Catholic schools, where she served on boards and actively fundraised for institutions like Trinity Washington University and the Archdiocese of Washington. She was a dedicated supporter of the John Carroll Society, a Catholic professional organization in Washington, D.C., and participated in numerous charitable galas supporting organizations such as the Legatus and the Catholic Charities USA. Her efforts were recognized by the Vatican, which awarded her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice cross for her service.

Later years and legacy

Following the sudden death of her husband in 2016 at the Cibolo Creek Ranch in Texas, Maureen Scalia returned to life in Washington, D.C.. She continued her charitable work and remained a respected figure within the Catholic community and the Federalist Society circles. She passed away in 2017 and was interred alongside Justice Scalia at the Fairfax Memorial Park in Virginia. Her legacy is carried on by her children, including Eugene Scalia, and through the continued philanthropic support of Catholic education initiatives she championed, such as the Scalia Family Foundation.

Category:1933 births Category:2017 deaths Category:American Roman Catholics Category:People from Brooklyn Category:Trinity Washington University alumni