Archive for October, 2015

MARJORIE BEST JOHNSON

Marjorie Best Johnson, 89, loving daughter, wife, godmother, aunt and cousin, passed away on October 28, 2015. The youngest of four children, Marjorie was born on February 26, 1926 in Gloucester, Massachusetts to William Thomas and Lucy Skinner Best.

Marjorie loved God, family, friends and life. She was kind, generous, patient and extremely intelligent. She received her BSN from the University of Virginia and her BS in early childhood education from the University of Maryland. She was a teacher of gifted and special needs children in the Washington area for more than 30 years. After retiring, she remained active by serving as a licensed tour guide in Washington, DC and the surrounding areas for nearly 21 years. Always a leader in her church, Grace Episcopal Church, she took on an additional role and brought a new dimension to the Strolling Seniors, a ministry for the church’s mature adults and their friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Roy Lee Johnson, Jr. and brothers, William, Ralph and Hubert.

Surviving are cousin Mary McIntyre (husband Mac, children Merit, Michael and Malia and their families), godson Victor Simerly (wife Dorothy, children David, Jennifer and Nicole and their families), nephews Fred Powers (wife Linda) and Darrell Powers (wife Cathy, children Melody and Christian) and nieces Deborah LaPierre and Marcia Arnett (child Bethany Field and her family) and long time friends, Margaret Kaplow and Dorothy Gallagher.

The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the staff of Shanti’s Home for the compassionate and loving care given to Marjorie over the past three years.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Nov 4, 2015 at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd West, Silver Spring, MD. A service to celebrate her life will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 1607 Grace Church Road, Silver Spring, MD on Nov 5, 2015 at 10 am with interment following at Parklawn Memorial Cemetery, 12800 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

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AVON MILAM CLARK

“Bonnie”  (Age 83)

On Monday, October 26, 2015, formerly of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved wife of the late James Scholl Clark; mother of James Michael, Patrick Scholl, Christopher David (Kay),Timothy Milam (Chris Amy) and Kathryn Clark (Brady) Miller; grandmother of Joseph, Selena, Sylvie, Timothy, Frances, Aidan, Henry, and Kendall; daughter of the late Eugene B. and Iva H. Milam; sister of Frances (Melvin) Deyerle, Calvin (Mildred) Milam, James Milam, Alvin (Patricia) Milam, David (Melissa) Milam, and the late Marvin (Jean) Milam. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Relatives and friends may call at St. Bernadette’s Church, 72 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring, MD, on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 10 to 11 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Contributions, in her memory, may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research , P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008.

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ALIX APPLETON HASSON (Age 90)

A longtime resident of Rockville, MD, Alix Hasson died of natural causes on 10/27/2015 at the age of 90.  She passed peacefully at home with her family at her side. 

Alix was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 7, 1925 to Donald Appleton and Nathalie Arnold Appleton. She was the eldest of 3 children, she is survived by her brother, John Appleton of Boston, Mass, and was preceded in death by her sister Lucy Appleton Potter of Ipswich, MA.  She is survived by her 12 children (23 grandchildren, and 5 great grand-children), Chris and Kyong Hasson (Alyssia, Shannon, Soon, Nathan), Marsha and David Snow, John and Deborah Hasson (Karen, Blaine, Reed), Agatha and David Kilburn (Stephen, Kenneth, Stephen Jr), Susan and Thomas Rightnour (Jason, Jimmy, Jesse, Ryder, Violet), Patrick and Jacqueline Hasson (Abigail, Emily, Andrew), Michael and Denise Hasson (Laura, Sarah, Brendan, Brian), Charles Hasson, Nathalie and Robert Gilfrich (Daniel, Christine), Nora Fisher (Caitlin, Elizabeth), Brian and Kathleen Hasson (Alora, Gavin), and Donald Hasson.

In her early years, Alix enjoyed racing her “Cat” boat in the summer series in Annisquam, MA.  She graduated from Vassar with a degree in Economics and worked in New York until she married Bernard J. Hasson, Jr in 1950 in Gloucester, MA. They moved to MD following their marriage and settled in Rockville in early June of 1957.  She worked for the FDA for over 10 years and won the prestigious clerk typist of the year award.  She was an active contributor to the Vassar Book Drive for many years.  As the family grew, children sought out her counsel and she became a beacon of guidance to many young people in the neighborhood. There was never a time that an extra place was not set for another child at her table.  She happily counseled and welcomed all children to her home, but they had to abide by her rules, which included letting their parents know where they were at any given time, day or night.  She always had a garden growing with vegetables and flowers and shared her love for this with her children as well as many neighbors.  She dedicated many volunteer hours to support special education in Montgomery County.  Throughout her life she loved to summer on the Chesapeake Bay in the Willows where she taught all of her 12 children a loving respect of the water and how to sail, row, and swim.

Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), on Sunday, November 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Church, 520 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD, on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 1 p.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the National Down Syndrome Society (http://www.ndss.org/Ways-to-Give/Ways-to-Donate/) or the Friends of the Library Montgomery County (https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/folmc).

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LAWRENCE JOSEPH KROPP (Age 61)

On Monday, October 26, 2015, of Ellicott City, MD. Beloved husband of Susan Kropp; father of Jennifer (Nick) Agrusti, MIchelle (Shane) Allen, and Michael Kropp; grandfather of Joe, Andrew, Brody, and Kylie; brother of Lenora Urie, Joan Kropp, and Bill Kropp. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Wednesday, October 28, 2015, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 4795 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, MD, on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 11 a.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Capital Chapter, 1800 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

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Mary C. Clarke (Age 101)

On Saturday, October 24, 2015, of Silver Spring, MD.  Beloved daughter of the late John F. and the late Katherine A. Clarke; sister of the late Stewart Clarke, the late Virginia Wilson, John F. Clarke, Jr., and Kathleen M. Daniel.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.  A Committal Service and Entombment will take place at George Washington Cemetery, 9500 Riggs Road, Adelphi, MD, on Sunday, November 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.  Please meet at the main entrance to the cemetery by 10:45 a.m.

LISA ADELE UNDERWOOD (Age 68)

On Sunday, October 18, 2015, with her life partner of 24 years, Margaret Adele Elgin and other loved ones at her side. Lisa passed away in the comfort of her home in Kensington, MD, following a brave struggle with cancer. In addition to her life partner, Maggie, Lisa is also survived by many loving friends. She will be deeply missed by her beloved shelter dogs. An Open House for friends will be announced at a later date. Contributions in Lisa’s Memory may be made to www.aforeverhome.org (Dog Shelter).

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Lucille O’Neil Raab (Age 96)

Passed peacefully in her Silver Spring, MD home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. Beloved wife of the late Neill F. Raab; mother of Carol R. (Richard) Storey and Patricia L. (John B. Thomas) Raab. Grandmother of Sasha Raab, Tara (Michael) Brokaw, and Tracey Davidson. Great-grandmother of Ryan and Kate Brokaw and Wyatt and Caleb Davidson.  Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Wednesday, October 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. Memorial Service at Inter-Faith Chapel, 3680 South Leisure World Blvd, Silver Spring, MD, on Thursday, October 29, at 11 a.m. Inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.

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MICHAEL STAFFORD MASLAND

September 3, 1972 ~ October 14, 2015

An incredibly kind and loving husband; an active, caring and devoted father; a loyal son, brother and friend; and an accomplished TV producer, died from complications from cancer on Wednesday, October 14, 2015. He was surrounded by his family and friends, and some of the incredible staff at Georgetown Hospital.

Michael is survived by his wife, Katie; sons, Jack Bondat Masland and Jonah Lecompte; daughters, Elizabeth and Mary; parents, Bonnie and David Fish, Jim and Michelle Masland; brothers, Jim (Nathalie) and Jon (Monica) Masland. He is also survived by his many friends at Discovery Studios.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Collins Funeral Home. There will be a visitation on October 27, 2015, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m; followed by a Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. Both are at St. Camillus Church, 1600 St. Camillus Dr., Silver Spring, MD 20903.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to an education fund for his children, NPR, or Christian Family Montessori School. Mike would probably also suggest that in lieu of flowers, subscribe to a paper copy of your favorite newspaper.

Masland Kids Education Fund:
www.youcaring.com/elizabeth-mary-masland-455592

Christian Family Montessori School
201 Allison Street NW Suite B
Washington, DC 20011

NPR Foundation
Dept. 6054
Washington, DC 20042

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DWIGHT L. FORTNA

Dwight Lindsay Fortna passed away on Tuesday, October 13, 2015. He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dorothy; his daughter, Diane and son-in-law, Mike; his son, Bob and daughter-in-law, Lee; his sister, Anna Miller and his sister-in-law, Margaretta Bolich. He has four grandchildren, Christina and husband, Tom, Justin and wife, Meghan, Daniel and Brian; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Madeline. Dwight was born on March 7, 1930 and raised on a farm near Shippensburg, PA. He graduated from Shippensburg University, and after he and Dorothy were married, they moved to Fredericksburg, VA, where he joined the Navy as a civilian weapons test engineer. Shortly after moving to Silver Spring, MD, Dwight joined NASA and spent the remainder of his career as a test engineer. An avid homeowner, Dwight enjoyed building additions to the home, landscaping, and was an all-around handyman. He also loved listening to classical music. Dwight was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and was a devout Christian. He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fourth Presbyterian Church, 5500 River Road, Bethesda, MD, 20816, where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 11 a.m.

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MARY LEE BOTTS (Age 93)

On Thursday, October 22, 2015 of Burtonsville, MD. She is survived by her daughter, C. Diane Biggs (husband, Bill Biggs), Bills brother, Bob, son, John Botts; grandchildren, Jeff and Brian Botts. She is also survived by three great- grandchildren, Cameron, Tenni and Sade Botts and many loving friends.  Relatives and friends may call at St. Catherine Laboure Church, Veirs Mill & Claridge Roads, Wheaton, MD on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, from 9:30 to 10 a.m., with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Contributions, in her memory may be made to St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth and Families, 4901 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782.

Please Click Here to View and Sign Online Guestbook

Please Click Here to View and Sign Online Guestbook