Archive for September, 2017

Miguel Fernando Ruiz (Age 83)

On Wednesday, September 27, 2017, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved husband of Nilda Ruiz for 61 loving years; father of Ileana Marrero and the late Myrna Zuleika Roman; grandfather of Michael and Daniel Roman and Ricardo, Natalya, Tatiana and Briana Marrero great-grandfather of Arianna and Christopher (Panchito) Collier; brother of Marta Landa and the late Mario Ruiz; Also survived by many loving family members and friends. Relatives and friends may call at Epworth United Methodist Church, 9008 Rosemont Dr., Gaithersburg, MD, 20877 on Monday, October 2, from 5 pm to 9 pm. Funeral service will be celebrated at Epworth UMC Tuesday, October 3, at 11 am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Nilda Ruiz.

DESIREE D. DE LA Rocha (Age 46)

On Sunday, September 24, 2017, of Gaithersburg, MD. Beloved wife of Ronald De La Rocha; mother of Desiree D. Allen (Garry), Gabriela De La Rocha and Bram Pierre De La Rocha; sister of Glenda Castaneda, Marianela Castaneda and Myriam Briceno. She is also survived by her loving dog/son, Polo De La Rocha and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at  Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Thursday, October 5, 2017, from 7 to 9 PM and on Friday, October 6, from 10 am until time of service at 11 AM. Interment All Souls Cemetery, Germantown, MD.

PAULA SUSANA OLIVERA-HANSEN

On September 25th, we lost an exemplary human being here on earth. What will never be lost are the beautiful memories, passion for life, and feelings of love she inspired in every single person that came into contact with her.

Paula Susana Olivera-Hansen, known to most as Susy, was born in Quillabamba, Peru in December of 1955 to the proud parents of Hugo Olivera and Josefina Loayza.  Susy was the eldest of 2 brothers and 5 sisters.

Susy was a pioneer who paved the way for her siblings to venture out and establish lives in the United States and in Europe. Susy left Peru at 18 years old and moved to Caracas, Venezuela, which would become her home for the next 12 years.  It is in Caracas where she would meet her “amigas del alma” and those friendships would continue for the rest of her life.

In 1984, Susy came to the United States via a language program offered at Penn State, with the intention of staying only a couple of months to learn English.  Upon completing the program, she decided to stay in the United States, and relocated from State College to our nation’s Capital of Washington, DC.

It is here that Susy’s path crossed with Jay Hansen, the man who later became her husband and partner in life.  Brought together by their love of music and dance, the two married on Valentine’s Day in 1989. After three years of marriage, they decided to add another member of the family. In 1992, Chaska Olivera Hansen, Susy’s only daughter, was born, and this was the beginning of the next stage of Susy’s life as a mother. In the years that followed, the family bond between Jay, Susy, and their Chaskita, became stronger through their travels, time together, and love for each other.

In the first few years of Chaska’s childhood, Susy dedicated herself to being a nurturing mother. It was her involvement in Chaska’s upbringing and education that sparked her interest and future career in foreign language programs for children. For nearly 12 years Susy dedicated her career to the teaching of the Spanish language and culture to elementary school children at the Washington Episcopal School.

No matter where she lived or what she did, Susy’s Peruvian culture was an influence and guide throughout her entire life.  You could always find Susy eating Peruvian cuisine, dancing to traditional music and disco, and sharing her Cusqueña identity with her friends and family.  This pride in her culture lives on through her daughter.

Susy has shown us what it is to live a vibrant life, full of travel, learning, and shared experiences. The courage she exemplified when confronted with cancer was inspirational. What this disease was never able to take from her was her incredible ability to never lose an ounce of fortitude, strength and the positive way she had always lived her life. It is through her family, friends, and strong sense of spirituality, that she was able to remain fearless in the face of this disease.  Susy truly outlived her cancer.

Please join us in celebrating the life of Susy Olivera-Hansen, mother, wife, sister, compassionate friend, and a role model for us all.  We ask that instead of wearing black, you wear bright, happy colors, as this best represents Susy’s personality.  Relatives and friends may call at Holy Cross Church, 4900 Strathmore Ave., Garrett Park, MD 20896, on Friday, September 29th beginning at 10 a.m., where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Reception following Mass: The Olivera-Hansen Home, 4914 Flanders Ave, Kensington, MD 20895

Donations: Donations may be made in honor of Susy Olivera-Hansen to the American Lung Association at

 https://tinyurl.com/yb3k9thm 

John Joseph Laffey (Age 90)

On Friday, September 22, 2017, of Rockville, MD. Beloved husband of Livia Laffey; father of Catherine (Sean) Fitzpatrick and William (Lisa) Laffey; grandfather of Brian and Lilli Fitzpatrick, Nicholas, Zachary and Mackenzie Laffey. Brother of Bernadette Laffey. Relatives and friends may call at St. Patrick’s Church, Norbeck & Muncaster Mill Roads, Rockville, MD, Wednesday, September 27, 2017 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, where Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:30 AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery

John Darin Pugh (Age 39)

On Thursday, September 21, 2017. Beloved son of Marie Pugh and the late John Pugh; brother of Christopher (Lyn) Pugh; and uncle of Grant Christopher and Blake Hunter Pugh. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Tuesday, September 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Shrine of St. Jude, 12701 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD, on Wednesday, September 27, at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Speaks, Attn: Web Gift, 1060 State Road, 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540 or Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Capitol Chapter, 1800 M Street NW, Suite 750 South, Washington, DC 20036.

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ELEANOR BAUDINO WHELAN (AGE 84)

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017, of Kensington, MD. Beloved wife of the late Thomas Whelan; mother of Joseph Whelan and Rosemary Whelan; grandmother of Emma Whelan, Hayley Buffone, and Hunter Buffone. Also survived by her sisters Joan Hartsock and Anne Holton. Graveside Service and Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Saturday, September 30, at 1:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 7500 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 300, Greenbelt, MD 20770.

Dennis Dean Thurman (Age 86)

Dennis Thurman, amazing son, devoted father, loving brother, supportive uncle, attentive grandfather, and longtime resident of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on September 13, 2017.   Dennis was born on a farm in North English, Iowa in 1931, one of eight children to Willard “Dad” Thurman and Violet Booth Thurman.  Dennis proudly served his country in the USMC during the Korean conflict from 1952 to 1954 and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in electrical engineering in 1958. He worked as an electrical engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in White Oak, MD for close to 30 years.  Dennis’ children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews were the pride and joy of his life.  The legacy of his kind spirit, passion for sports, love of reading, and zest for life will live on through them.  Dennis was an accomplished gardener, extraordinary fisherman, superb chess player, dexterous cook, student of history, and had a passion for learning and sharing everything he could. Dennis was also a student of the English language and could provide a definition for just about any word you offered him.  Dennis enjoyed life, family members, and many friends. Dennis was always there to brighten the lives of others with his pleasing dry sense of humor.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Audrey; sons David, Dan, Sam and Carl; grandchildren Isaiah, Jack, Lydia, Owen, Riley, and Maeve; brother Thomas; sisters Karolyn and Phyllis; stepchildren Catherine, Carol, William, and Connie; seven stepgrandchildren; five stepgreat-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.  Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, on Saturday, September 30 from 12 to 1 p.m. where funeral service will be held at 1 p.m.  Interment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.  Memorial contributions may be made to the SEMPER FI Fund at www.semperfifund.org, which provides financial assistance and support to injured members of the United States armed forces.

Sophia J. Wertz (Age 94)

On Tuesday, September 19, 2017, of Silver Spring, MD, formerly of McKeesport, PA. Beloved wife of the late Eugene J. “Chick” Wertz; mother of Jean W. Davis (William), Carol W. Abbruzzese (Mark) and the late Christine A. Wertz; grandmother of Stephanie Cardella (J.T.), William Davis III, Allison Dooley (Daniel) and Amy Abbruzzese. Also survived by two great grandchildren, John Christopher Cardella and Nora Elizabeth Dooley and loving nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may call at St. John the Baptist Church, 12319 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, on Sunday, September 24, from 7:30 to 9 PM, where Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, September 25, 2017 at 10:30 AM. Interment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, North Versailles, PA.