Archive for February, 2016

John Edward Nelson (Age 72)

On Friday, February 26, 2016, John E. Nelson of Silver Spring, MD passed away unexpectedly.  Beloved husband of Susan Umphrey Nelson; father of Katharine Lee Nelson; grandfather of Toby Coursey Nelson; brother of Janet Nelson Schmitt;  Also survived by countless family members, friends and students.

Originally from Seattle, Washington, Dr. Nelson traveled extensively before settling down in Silver Spring with his wife and daughter. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia in the 1960s, taught at the American University in Cairo, Egypt through most of the 1970s, and earned his PhD from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1980. He worked for Prince George’s County public schools as an ESOL parent involvement specialist. In 2004, Dr. Nelson “retired” to an entirely new career as co-coordinator of the Masters’ Program in English as a Second Language at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Dr. Nelson was a dedicated mentor and teacher who was energized most by his interactions with students. He led an incredibly full life traveling extensively internationally and locally, running with the “Rolls & Buns” club, playing nonstop competitive trivia, and driving up to Philadelphia each and every week to spend time with his young grandson.  He was fiercely dedicated to his family, his students, and his friends. His boundless energy and enthusiasm were a source of inspiration to everyone around him.

Relatives, friends and students may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, 20901 (Valet Parking),Sunday, March 6, from 2 to 4 PM.  As was his wish, his ashes will be scattered in the woods he loved so much. A Memorial to celebrate his rich life and accomplishments will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the John E. Nelson Scholarship. Please make your check payable to: USM Foundation (And write ‘John E. Nelson Scholarship’ in the Memo line.) Mail the check to: UMBC Education Department c/o Patty McGonigle, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250.

REGINE CHACHIE NGENGA (Age 54)

On Friday, February 26, 2016, of Silver Spring, MD.  Beloved wife of Adolphe Chachie; loving mother of Staline, Clide, Cindy and Esther Chachie;  devoted grandmother of Chloe and Anthony Kash.  Also survived by brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family members.  Relatives and friends may call at  Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Friday, March 4, from 2 to 4 p.m.  A Memorial Service will take place at Better Days International Church, 2605 Ritchie Marlboro Road, Upper Marlboro, MD, on Friday, March 4, at 7:00 p.m.  Family and friends will gather, again, at Collins Funeral Home on Saturday, March 5 for a viewing from 10:30  to 11a.m., where a Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m.  Interment to follow at  Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

CARMEN ALOI CUMMINGS

On Thursday, February 25, Carmen A. Cummings, Age 95, of Sterling, Virginia. Born on February 22, 1921 in Washington, DC. Carmen was the beloved wife of the late Roger L. Cummings; mother of Craig and Gregory Cummings; grandmother of Melissa Bogdan, Angela Whitehead, and Brian Cummings; and great grandmother of Gavin, Brooke, Owen, Brady, Georgia, and Jacklyn; mother-in-law of Roberta and Margaret; and, beloved aunt of many nieces and nephews. Carmen was pre-deceased by sisters, Mary Blankenship, Josephine Giaquinta, Alice Trimarchi and Antoinettte Duplissey; and brothers, Anthony, Demetrio, Paul and Wilfred. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, MD (Valet Parking), on Monday, February 29 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 1006 Larch Avenue, Takoma Park, MD on Tueday, March 1 at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may bemade to Disabled American Veterans , P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.

Please Click Here to View and Sign Online Guestbook

Please Click Here to View and Sign Online Guestbook

JOHN WILLIAM RODGERS (Age 86)

On Monday, February 15, 2016, of Silver Spring, MD. Beloved husband of the late Olympia H. Rodgers; father of Virginia Mae Rodgers and Deborah Ann Rodgers Norris; grandfather of John Patrick Norris and Laura Elizabeth Norris; great-grandfather of Preslee Ann-Elizabeth Norris and Camden John Norris. Born and raised in Mt. Carmel, PA, John and Olympia were childhood sweethearts, married for 64 years, living a full and active life until Olympia’s stroke in 2008. John retired from the National Education Association in 1992. A memorial service will be held in the Spring at the chapel on the grounds of Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church, Olney, MD. Inurnment Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice in John”s honor.

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Eriese Juste (Age 87)

On Wednesday, February 17, 2016, of Washington, DC. Beloved daughter of the late Saint Luc Juste and the late Elipcia Morand; sister of Therienne Juste and the late Omanie Juste, Eria Joseph, Eraus Juste and Evaine Juste; aunt of Albert Joseph, Saint Jeanne, Marie-Myrtha Juste, Yolande Mondelus, Roselene Pierre, Eric Pierre, Monarque Pierre, Loulouse Pierre, Modeline Pierre and Farrah Juste; adopted grandmother of Nedje Charlot-Brierre, Aglae Charlot, Clotilde Charlot, Joelle Charlot, Reginald Charlot, Erik Charlot, Albertha Joseph and Albert Joseph, Jr.; godmother of Lucette Eugene and her family, Marquet, Ernest, Vanessa and Victoria Eugene. Also survived by a host of other family members and friends. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Friday, February 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. and at Shrine of the Sacred Heart, 16th Street & Park Road, NW, Washington, DC on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 9:30-10 am where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

JOHN CHARLES MARNEY

“Jack”

On Thursday, February 18, 2016 of Kensington, MD. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; his children: Debra, Richard, Julianne, Robert, and Susan; his siblings: Camilla, Denis, Kathleen, Cyril, and Charlotte; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. John was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 6, 1926 to Thomas and Sarah Marney. He served in the Army during World War II and attended The Catholic University of America receiving a degree in architecture. He worked in private practice designing both residential dwellings and commercial buildings and finished his career at the General Services Administration. He was an avid painter and cyclist, and volunteered for many years with the Boy Scouts. Services will be held on Thursday, February 25 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kensington, MD at 11 a.m., with family receiving friends at 10 a.m. Burial services will be private.

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MARY ALLSHOUSE RUSSELL (Age 60)

On Thursday, February 18, 2016, of Silver Spring, MD.  Beloved wife of Raymond Russell; mother of Sam and Maura Russell; sister of David (Pat) Allshouse, Marge (John) Gillis, Jane Reed, John (Sandy) Allshouse, Bridget (Mustafa) Al-Ibrahim, and the late Kathleen, Michael and Thomas Allshouse.  Relatives and friends may call at  Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Monday, 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. where Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, February 23 at 11 a.m.  Interment Private. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 924 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 or at www.catholiccharitiesdc.org.

Please Click Here to View and Sign Online Guestbook

Please Click Here to View and Sign Online Guestbook

STEFANIE ISBEL REITER THAYER

Stefanie Isbel Reiter Thayer of Rockville MD died peacefully in her sleep after a long chronic illness on February 3^rd 2016. She is survived by her beloved husband of 35 years, Gregory Thayer, siblings Jeffery, Judith, Steven Reiter and mother and father in-law Nancy and Keith Thayer. She was preceded in death by her Parents, Alfred and Frances Reiter. She earned a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Iowa. After graduation she taught medical students at the University how to relate to their patients. From there she moved on to become Vice President for continuing education at the Arthritis Foundation in Atlanta. Later she moved back to Washington, DC to be close to family, where  she worked for PBS developing continuing educational programming for medical professionals.

She was a kind compassionate person who saw all people as equals. She was non judge mental and accepted people for who they were. She was my wife, my friend, my soul mate, I miss her physical presence but feel her soul in mine.

I am making an urn for her ashes. She will be buried in Clear Lake, Iowa in the Thayer family plot. This was her wish.

If you wish to acknowledge her passing, please make a contribution to a charity of your choice. Stefanie was especially concerned for the plight of impoverished children and battered and homeless women in America.

On Sunday, February 14, 2016, of Washington, DC. Beloved husband of Anna K. Brady; son of the late Basil and Addie Brady; father of Betty Hart (nee McAuliffe), Mary North (nee McAuliffe), Jimmy McAuliffe, Nancy Fleegle (nee McAuliffe) and Shirley Marlowe (nee McAuliffe); brother of the late Leonard Brady, Albert Brady and Anna Lou Noble; uncle of Paul (Beverly) Noble and Matt (Stacia) Noble; great-uncle of Austin Noble. Also survived by many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Friday, February 19, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m., where Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday, February 20, at 11 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice .

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Kostas (Gus) Hnarakis

Our beloved brother Kostas (Gus) Hnarakis at age 53, a resident of College Park, MD, passed away on February 11, 2016. He was born on July 14, 1962 in Takoma Park, MD to the late Maria and George Hnarakis. Gus was a graduate of Laurel High School in Laurel, MD, where he was certified in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. Gus is survived by his brothers Emanuel, Paul and Greg (Tammy) and sisters Christine, Tina and Helen, also nieces and nephews, Amandis, Demetrius (Latoya), Heather (Shannon), Gregory John and Breanne. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home (Valet Parking), 500 University Blvd., W., Silver Spring, MD 20901 on Friday, February 19th, from 3-5pm and 7-9pm where a prayer service will be held at 7 pm.  Funeral Service at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 15100 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD, on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 11 am. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Reception will be held after burial at Greek Village Restaurant 13476 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.arborday.org or your local animal rescue foundation.