IRVINGTON—Gillian Ward Regal, 54, beloved daughter of Pamela and Jim Ward of Irvington, died on July 3, 2026, at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She had valiantly battled sarcoma for more than two years.
Gillian was a gifted architect, designer, a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service, and an avid quilter, as well as an amazing mother and tenacious advocate for her beloved children.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Dr. Michael Regal; her children, May, Oliver, Fiona, and Adeline; and her brothers, James, Shane and Liam Ward.
Born in Tucson, Arizona, she spent her early childhood in India and then Pakistan, returned to the U.S. with her family, then lived in Toronto, Canada, and graduated high school in Santo Domino, the Dominican Republic.
Following college, she worked as an architect in San Francisco, Calif., then Richmond. Infused with a love of travel she followed in her parents’ footsteps and joined the Foreign Service. She and husband Mike, also a Foreign Service Officer, served at U.S. Embassies in Mexico City, Mexico; Cairo, Egypt; Nairobi, Kenya; Manila, The Philippines, and had just received onward assignments to Djakarta, Indonesia, when she was diagnosed.
A visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 24, at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at noon Saturday, July 25, at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Avenue, Falls Church.
