We are Here for You!

Celeste and her family moved to Richmond from Raleigh, N.C., in 2010. Celeste shared that her family “felt God’s love, presence, and joy at St. Mary’s and feel very grateful to be a part of this wonderful church.” Celeste serves on the fellowship
and welcomers' committees, attends weekly lectionary Bible study and the Friday book club, volunteers in the church office, and served on the discernment committee.

In Raleigh, Celeste was a founding member of Holy Trinity Church, where she wore various hats, including organizing bible studies and teaching youth Sunday school. Additionally, she has served on the Parents’ Committee for both the University of Virginia (Will ’18) and The University of the South (Emily ’21) when her children were students.

A Norfolk native, Mary-Taliaferro found the Episcopal Church as a University of Richmond student and was confirmed at St. Stephen’s. She and husband Bruce attended All Saints for almost 40 years, then, in 2017, they moved to St. Mary’s. Mary-Taliaferro immediately joined the Fellowship Committee, which she found was a great way to meet people. From there, she joined the Early Education Committee and the Altar Guild and volunteered for Vacation Bible School. A gifted artist, Mary-Taliaferro also enjoys providing the newly baptized with a ceramic cross on behalf of St. Mary’s.

Professionally, she and Bruce ran a public relations and lobbying firm, prior to which she worked in the Virginia General Assembly. Since retiring, Mary-Taliaferro feels fortunate to be more involved with St. Mary’s and to support its mission and purpose.

Henly Deutsch is a self-described “Virginia girl, born and raised in Newport News” before leaving for college at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg and then Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy in Richmond. Henly has worked for VCU Health as a staff pharmacist in various capacities since 1995. For more than 10 years, Henly has worked in Investigational Drug Services providing pharmacy services for clinical trials.

Henly and her husband, Mark, met in 1995, married in 1996, and joined St. Mary’s in 2000. Since then, they have been a part of St. Mary’s Supper Club, Hospitality Team, Youth Committee, Welcome Committee, Altar Guild, outreach opportunities, and Sacred Ground series. Henly and Mark have two sons, Jack and Davis. Henly and Mark have seen their boys through baptisms, confirmations, acolyting, youth groups, and mission trips to South Dakota, California and Georgia. Henly shared, “I am very excited to enter this next chapter in my life as an empty nester and look forward to turning my focus onto St. Mary’s. I truly feel that the stars have aligned, and God has called me to serve on the Vestry.”

Andy and Katie Howlett chose St. Mary’s in 2015 on the recommendation of their friends Anne and Jesse McCoy. Their family of four knew they had found their church home as soon as they entered New St. Mary’s for the first time and heard John Miller deliver his sermon. Andy officially became an Episcopalian in 2018 by reception. He has been involved in youth mission trips, the discernment committee, and the search committee that called David May as rector of Mary’s.

The Auburn graduate works for Owens & Minor where he is a director of business operations and spends weekends as an “unpaid Uber driver” for daughter LJ and son Graydon, both of whom are active Richmond Kickers soccer players. Andy’s ideal evening is one spent around a fire pit with good friends or at a concert at one of Richmond’s many excellent music venues.

Sandy and Vanna McDonald moved to Richmond in August 2012, which was, in fact, their twelfth move together. Sandy often shares that they found their church before they found their home. Driving on River Road to look at houses and neighborhoods, Sandy and Vanna crossed into Goochland and found St. Mary’s at the top of the hill. Sandy shared, “‘Find a church‘ was immediately checked off our to-do list.”

Sandy and Vanna have been members of St. Mary’s for more than 20 years. For much of that time, Sandy traveled internationally for work. Since retirement, he and Vanna have enjoyed spending more time at St. Mary’s. Both Vanna and Sandy are members of the Pastoral Care Team 2 and volunteer as ushers for services and funerals. Sandy is also a member of Saint Mary’s Welcoming Committee. Sandy shared that St. Mary’s has become their “spiritual home.” He and Vanna have seen two of their children married and their two grandsons baptized in the church.

Mike and his wife Janice, along with their sons Quinn and Patrick, began attending St. Mary’s in 2021. They quickly grew to love the welcoming community, the vibrant worship, the beautiful setting, and the meaningful work of the church. Despite the reality of busy middle and high school schedules, the family makes time to participate in church activities, including the acolyte ministry, youth group, and the annual BBQ & Brews fundraiser. Most recently, Mike served on the St. Mary’s discernment committee.

Born in Northern Virginia, Mike grew up in Princeton, N.J., where he attended Trinity Episcopal Church. He returned to Virginia to earn his undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee University. His passion for Tar Heels basketball took root during his time at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he earned his MBA. After two decades in various leadership roles at Capital One, Mike now leads marketing for a financial technology startup, working remotely from his home in Midlothian.

Meriwether’s life at St. Mary’s began at age one when her family moved to Richmond and joined the church. She grew up attending Sunday School, Children’s Chapel, and Vacation Bible School. After being confirmed, she participated in several youth mission trips. In her adult life at St. Mary’s, she has volunteered with the youth and children’s ministries through VBS, Children’s Chapel, Youth Group, and teaching Sunday School. Most recently, she directed the 2023 Christmas Pageant. In addition, she has been a member of St. Mary’s music ministry beginning at the age of four, singing in the Children’s Choir, Treble Choir, and the Adult Choir.

Meriwether graduated from the University of South Carolina with a double major in accounting and supply chain management. She just received her MBA from City, University of London and is a technology and digital transformation consultant. She spends her free time with her golden retriever Ginny and sailing competitively.

Susan grew up in Richmond and graduated from St. Catherine’s School and Hollins College. She attended St. James’s until she left Richmond soon after college, then joined St. Mary’s after she returned to Richmond in 1990. Over the years, she has co-chaired the stewardship committee, served on the vestry, and completed Education for Ministry (EFM). Beyond St. Mary’s, Susan has been active at The Woman’s Club serving on different committees and boards.

Having retired after 44 years as a financial advisor, Susan and her husband Temple Cabell are grateful to be able to spend more time with their four adult children and their five grandchildren. When she is not babysitting or carpooling, Susan attempts to do yoga and Pilates and enjoys attending weekly lectionary Bible study and the Friday book club. She also regularly volunteers in the church office.

Geoff Simril was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, in the Lutheran Church. He later graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and Harvard Business School, and he served three years as a Naval officer. Geoff married his wife, Patsy, in 1998, and they have three children Peter Vick, Jane Vick, and Henry Simril. They also have three grandchildren.

Geoff was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1999. He and Patsy joined St. Mary’s in 2016. He serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, lector, and usher. He also volunteers for parish breakfasts, participates in the Men’s Spiritual Practice, and leads the Men’s Meal Ministry.

Frank and his family decided to try a new church on Easter Sunday 2009. They loved the service, the campus, and the peaceful feeling of the congregation. And they received enthusiastic approval from their U of R law-student babysitter from Atlanta who accompanied them! Over the years Frank and his wife Charmaine have become more attached to and involved with the church. Frank has served as a lay reader, usher, and lay Eucharistic minister. Daughters Garland and Rainey were both confirmed at St. Mary’s.

Frank is a Board of Directors member at Davenport & Company LLC and heads up the advisory acquisitions efforts for the firm. He believes vestry service is a wonderful opportunity to help with the continued growth and development of St. Mary’s Church and to work with the talented team David has cultivated over the last few years.

Eric and his family discovered St. Mary’s in 2022 by chance, after moving from Northern Virginia to Richmond for a new job opportunity. They were drawn in by its youth ministry, welcoming congregation, and uplifting clergy… and It didn’t take long for St. Mary’s to become home. Eric and his wife Dena feel a strong pull to worship through music in St. Mary’s Chimes, and hope to pass on their love of music to their daughters, McKenna and Lyla. Eric enjoys lay reading, ushering, and is committed to helping the church mission through vestry service.

Professionally, Eric has been a paramedic for more than 15 years and came to Richmond to manage emergency medical service operations in central Virginia. Outside of work, Eric spends his time with his beautiful family and enjoys skiing, bushcraft, and anything outdoors.