Archive for March, 2019

Monica Thora Scott 

Monica Thora Scott of Silver Spring, MD, passed away March 13. Mrs. Scott was born on June 25, 1941 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad to Bertram Chasteau and Inez Cummins. Ms. Cummins often described raising then Monica Thora Chasteau as a joy. She was a daughter who gave no trouble, taught herself to ride her bicycle and played piano to the delight of passersby on Quarry Street who would stop to listen. Monica attended Holy Name Convent for high school, and after graduation, briefly taught elementary school before leaving the island in 1964 to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C. At Howard, she studied Spanish and quickly fell into the Caribbean community, meeting people who would become lifelong friends. Also, at Howard, Monica met fellow student Nigel Scott, who overheard her giving out her phone number to a friend in front of the library and took the chance to call. Initially taken aback, Monica agreed to go out with Nigel; the two were married in 1970 and raised three sons. In 1976, Monica began working as an administrative assistant at the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. There, she became known for dishing out advice to co-workers. She retired from the Conference in 2006. Monica often spent her free time watching sports and when she watched sports, the whole house knew about it. She would often jump, scream and applaud in support of the Redskins, the Lakers and Manchester United. Mrs. Scott stayed active throughout her adult life in the Washington, D.C. Trinidad & Tobago community, regularly attending and helping to organize fetes and community activities. In her later years, she took a special joy in her six grandchildren. Monica Scott is survived by her beloved husband Nigel; her three sons, Duane, Omar and Rion; daughters-in-law, Tracy, Tara and Sufiya; and her grandchildren, Nia, Samaadi, Zavier, Maya, Sasha and Madiba. Relatives and friends may call at Grace Episcopal Church, 1607 Grace Church Road, Silver Spring, MD, Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral Service follows at Grace Episcopal Church at 11:00 AM.  Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society and the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Nalini Dropatee Vigilance (Age 80)

On Sunday, March 17, 2019, of Silver Spring, MD.  Beloved wife of Morris Vigilance; mother of Mark (Marcel), John, Richard (Kavita) and Mallorie Vigilance (Pedro Benetis).   Also survived by five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Relatives and friends may call at  Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, on Saturday, March 30, 2019, from 12 to 1 p.m., where a Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m.  Interment to follow at Norbeck Memorial Park, Olney, MD.

Rhoda P. Jerschkowsky (Age 85)

Rhoda P. Jerschkowsky (Betsy) passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2019 at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Betsy was born in Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania to Norton and Rhoda Pritchard and graduated as valedictorian from Schuylkill Haven High School in 1951. At Syracuse University, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and met the love of her life. She moved to Washington, DC to work in the Foreign Service Institute of the US Department of State and married Oleg Jerschkowsky. Together they had three beautiful children, Nadia, Olya, and Tanya, and grandchildren, Scott and Brittney. She later completed her Master’s in International Relations at American University. She earned a second Master’s Degree in Special Education from Johns Hopkins University and became a teacher in the Montgomery County Public School system. Betsy, the “Mama Bear Extraordinaire” adored her family and spent lots of quality time with them. She spent her spare time reading, playing the piano, traveling, cooking and collecting cookbooks. A Funeral Service will be held at  Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, on Thursday, March 21, at 1 pm. Interment St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Whitesboro, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Benevolent Care Fund at Asbury Foundation, 201 Russell Ave.; Gaithersburg, MD 20877 or at www.theasburyfoundation.org

FREDRICK  BEAM (Age 61)

On Sunday, March 17, 2019, of Silver Spring, MD.  Beloved husband of Maia Beam; father of Jennifer Jones (Sam), Ashly Vandenengel (Chris) and Jason Beam. Grandfather of Anna Jones. Memorial Service will be held at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4629 Aspen Hill Road, Rockville, MD, on Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:00 AM.  Interment Private. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

JORGE SAJBIN CALEL

On March 13, 2019, our dearly beloved, highly esteemed husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle, Godfather, brother, friend, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and mentor, Jorge Sajbin Calel became an Angel of Heaven after a long strenuous and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Guatemala and moved to the US in his teenage years. Jorge loved to travel, especially to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico and the beaches. Despite his illness, he always kept a smile on his face and continued to enjoy his passion of photography. He also was a teacher for the ESOL program at St. Marks the Evangelist Church and Shrine of the Sacred Heart regardless of his health. He was a man of deep Catholic faith that grew strong throughout his illness.

Jorge is survived by his loving wife, Agnes; parents, Domingo and Rosa of Guatemala, brother to Julio, Benjamin of Guatemala and sister: Paulina and son Alex, brother in law, Bonifacio of Washington DC. Late brothers Obisbo and Fransisco. Son: Bryan; daughters; Heather and Denise; and adoring grandchildren: Ellianna and Elyse. Many nephew and nieces of Guatemala and also his cat, his best friend, Smokei.

He saw love, beauty and happiness through the lens of a camera.

Family and Friends can pay their respects at the visitation on Monday, March 18 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring (Valet Parking), Maryland. Followed by a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7501 Adelphi, MD with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven, 13801 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD.

Laura Dawn Hollis (Age 63)

On Thursday, March 7, 2019, of Rockville, MD.  Beloved wife of Wm Stephen (Moose) Hollis; mother of Hayley and Hillary Hollis; daughter of the late David and Dolores Rogerson; sister of David L. Rogerson and Lisa M. Nelson. Also survived by many loving family and friends. Relatives and friends may call at  Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), on Wednesday, March 20, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Grace, 15661 Norbeck Blvd, Silver Spring, MD, on Thursday, March 21, at 11 am. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan Residence, 4200 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, DC 20017.

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William John Bray, Jr. “Bill” (Age 74)

On Thursday, March 14, 2019, of Chevy Chase, MD. Beloved husband of Carol Pippin Bray; loving father of Mary Christine Bray and William John (Sydney) Bray, III. “Bop” to Elizabeth and Hadley Bray. Also survived by niece Jacqueline Seelinger (Matt) Kunzler and numerous cousins. Bill attended The Shrine of The Most Blessed Sacrament School, Georgetown Preparatory School where he was Prefect of the Sodality and graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University. He served in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Bill spent 40 years of his banking career working for Riggs National Bank and Chevy Chase Bank. He was a proud member of Columbia Country Club and The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Monday, March 18, 2019, from 2 to 4PM and 7 to 9 PM. Mass of Christian Burial at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 5949 Western Ave. NW, Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 11 AM. Interment Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place,Memphis, TN 38105.

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Angela Mary Sgro (Age 96)

On Wednesday, March 13, 2019, of Bowie, MD. Beloved wife of the late Vincent Sgro; mother of Patrick Sgro; grandmother of Brittany Boschert, Alec Sgro, & Victoria Sgro; great-grandmother of Aiden Boschert, Isabella Boschert, & Jaxon Sgro; Also survived by many loving family members and friends. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, 20901, Monday, March 18, from 10:30 to 11 am where Funeral Service will celerbrated at 11 am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Margaret Agnes McMurdo Lyons

Margaret Lyons, age 94, of Rockville, MD passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, surrounded by her family at home. Margaret was born March 4, 1925 in Frostburg, MD and was raised in Clarysville. She graduated from Beall High School and the Sacred Heart Hospital of Nursing in Cumberland, MD. She worked for many years as a public health nurse in Montgomery County. Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband William Lyons who died in 1984, her parents Russell and Agnes McMurdo, and brother Daniel McMurdo; loving mother of Donna M. Appel (Bob), John J. Lyons, and Mary L. Stark (Gary); grandmother of Courtney Jones, Sean Stark, Christopher Appel, Kate Mahoney, Melissa Stark, and 7 great-grandchildren; also survived by her sister-in-law Donna Jean McMurdo, nieces Tammie Cogswell and Val Puddington, and several nephews. Relatives and friends may call at St. Patrick’s Church, Norbeck & Muncaster Mill Roads, Rockville, MD, on Monday, March 18, beginning at 11a.m. where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. Interment Frostburg Memorial Park.

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PHILIP DONALD BRASIER “PHIL”

Philip Donald Brasier “Phil”, of Silver Spring, Maryland, born on December 23, 1960 in Washington, DC, to the late Marie Smith and William Brasier, passed away at age 58 on March 11, 2019 in Washington, DC.  Phil is survived by his loving husband and partner of over 20 years, John Dabrowski.   He also now joins his deceased loving partner and friend John Blankenship.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Brasier; and sister, Paulette Boniface. Phil is also survived by his brother, James Brooke; and sisters, Kathy Beavers and Veronica Johnston, and his extended family and also by loving members of the Dabrowski family, including sisters Eleanor, Mary, Ann, brother Edward and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews who loved him as one of their own, as well as special friends Scott and Phyllis Badesch and many others.

Phil grew up in Colmar Manor, Maryland and went to High Point High School in Beltsville, Maryland.  His love of cars and things mechanical took hold early as he worked as a teenager at a local gasoline and auto repair station.  Later, he worked for many years at the United States Pharmacopeia in Rockville, Maryland, working his way up from an administrative assistant to the Director of Distribution.   Phil also was a certified Auto Parts Manager for Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.  He had an unsurpassed love for animals and worked for a time at Wheaton Animal Hospital in Kensington, Maryland.

Phil was a dedicated caregiver, first to his partner John Blankenship during a long illness prior to John’s death and later for many years as a full-time caretaker of his mother Marie prior to her death.   Although he suffered from numerous physical injuries and ailments himself, he was never without a smile and a friendly “how are you” in public.  His gregarious nature made him want to brighten the day of those he came in contact with whether it was a VIP at a gala event or a cashier at Giant, CVS or the hardware store.  Too numerous to count are the times that he helped neighbors with automobile problems or washing cars.  In later years he enjoyed taking care of his home, lawn and garden in Fairland, Maryland where he quickly became a neighborhood favorite.  He felt blessed to be able to join his husband John at various Autism Society events throughout the country and to see sights that he never thought he would.  Although his energy diminished in the last few years he nevertheless made sure his automobiles were always clean and shiny and his house was spic and span.  All who knew him will never forget his smile.  Phil, we miss you but will hold you forever in our hearts.

 In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Phil’s name to the Autism Society of America in Bethesda Md. Friends and family can pay their respects at the visitation on Thursday, March 21 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring (Valet Parking), followed by a memorial service on Friday March 22, at 11 am at Christ Congregational Church, 9525 Colesville Rd.  Silver Spring, MD, 20901.

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SILVINO DE CASTRO MONTENEGRO
July 25th, 1943 – March 6th, 2019
(Age 75)

On March 6, 2019 our Dearly Beloved, Highly Esteemed Husband, Father, Grandfather, Father-in-law, Brother, Friend, and Mentor passed away after a long arduous and courageous battle with cancer. As an entrepreneur he was a founding partner of Nova Europa Restaurant’82, in Silver Spring and other successful restaurants in the area. Originally from Paredes de Coura in Portugal, Silvino emigrated to the United States in 1970 and settled in the Bethesda-Kensington Area.

Loving Husband of 52 years to Manuela; Papa to llda (Martin) and Lisa (James), adoring grandfather of Austin, Sabrina, Luke and Jake. Son of the late Gloria Castro and Jose Montenegro, Brother to Candida, Antonio, David, Manuel, Isaac, Salvador, Maria and the late Jose Maria. Friend and Mentor of many within the Portuguese Community. He Achieved and Lived his American Dream. “Vive La America”

Family and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home in Silver Spring on Thursday, March 14, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Christian funeral Mass will be offered at St. Catherine Labouré Church on Friday, March 15 at 10 a.m. 11801 Claridge Rd, Wheaton, MD 20902. Interment to follow at Gates of Heaven Cemetery 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906.

Edward William “Bill” DeKnight

Edward William “Bill” DeKnight, 94, of Silver Spring, MD, died Saturday, March 9, 2019. Loving husband of Anna DeKnight for 69 years, Bill was the father of Eileen (Fred) Wittwer of Charlottesville, VA, Bob (Carol) DeKnight of Chevy Chase, MD, and Tom (Diane) DeKnight of Folly Beach, SC; grandfather of Scott, Greg, Allison, Brittany, Joe, Jennifer, James; great-grandfather of Matteo, Everett, Aubrey, Nora, Bennett; brother of Patricia Frankemolle of Northport, NY; uncle of Pamela, Alice and Linda. Family time in Ocean City, MD, was very special to him. Bill served in the Navy during WWII and graduated from the University of Delaware. He retired from the Naval Surface Weapons Center, where he had an interesting career as an electrical engineer. He enjoyed golf, woodworking, grape growing and was an award-winning winemaker. Private services followed by inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery will be at a later date.

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Virginia Marmolejos

On Friday, March 8, 2019, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Sister and friend became an angel of the heavens. Virginia Hernandez de Marmolejos was born on December 23, 1923 in Sanchez, Dominican Republic. She gave birth and raised nine children who today she is survived by Daughters Rosa, Ana, Luisa and Carmen and sons Daniel Felipe, Jose Marcelo, Angel, Hector and Andres. She was also surrounded by 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Amazing right? Virginia was the most wise, strong and loving woman who ever crossed upon anyone’s eyes. Despite her illness, she always kept a smile on her face and maintained a very strong profile. She laughed, danced, cried alongside of all of us and gave us honest, genuine advice. Answers were always provided when a question was asked to her, which made us all know we can count on her when we needed someone to vent to. Her words made us stronger, her smile made us smile, her laughs made us happy, and her presence will always be felt. We love you Mami. Forever