Earl T. Loy

Earl T. Loy, a lifelong resident of McLean, Va, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at the age of 91. Born February 7, 1922, he was the third of six children born to James Leslie Loy and Elsie Carper Loy and was a loving husband to his wife, Agnes Loy (Nee: Jenkins) of Vienna, Va whom he married in 1940. Mr. Loy like nothing more than working outdoors and did so all of his life. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career beginning modestly as a groundskeeper at Washington Golf and Country Club. During that time he caught the discerning eye of socialite, heiress and founder of General Foods, Inc., Marjorie Merriweather Post, who hired him as a gardner at Tragaron, the estate in Northwest Washington, DC, she owned with then husband Ambassador Joseph E. Davies. In 1955, Mr. Loy followed Mrs. Post to the new home in Northwest she purchased after divorcing Davies, which she named Hillwood. Mr. Loy served as head gardner and factotum to Mrs. Post until her death in 1973. In that capacity. Mr. Loy oversaw the maintenance of Hillwood's expansive lawn, numerous gardens and a greenhouse, which housed a now-famous collection of her orchids. He also oversaw the grounds of Mrs. Post's two other properties, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, FL, purchased by Donald Trump in 1985, and Camp Topridge on Upper St. Regis Lake in the Adirondacks. He was photographed walking with Mrs. Post through Hillwood's tranquil Japenese-style garden in a 1964 Life magazine article featuring Mrs. Post exuisite lifestyle and all of the Post properties. Following Mrs. Post's death, Hillwood was bequeathed to the Smithsonian Institution to be maintained as a museum and Mr. Loy became an employee of the Smithsonian for a few short years before being hired in 1976 by socialite and political activist, Pamels Harriman and her husband, buusinessman and politician, William Averell Harriman. Mr. Loy worked for Mrs. Harriman for 21 years, during which time she served as the US Ambassador to France. He maintained both her home in Georgetown and her farm in Middleburg, VA, Willow Oaks, until her death in 1997. Shortly therafter after more than 55 years in service, Mr. Loy retired and spent many happy years with family and friends. Mr. Loy was predeceased by his four brothers, Stuart, Charles, Phillip and Marshall and his beloved wife of 67 years, who passed away in 2007. They had no children. He is survived by his sister, Madeline L. Dunn of Winchester, VA and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Funeral Home:

Money & King Funeral Home

171 W. Maple Ave.

Vienna, VA

US 22180