Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Gretchen Taylor Mayr, a beloved and lifelong resident of Sherwood Forest, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, May 31, 2025 after a long and courageous battle with illness. She was surrounded by the love and legacy of a life well lived.
Gretchen is survived by her loving children: Lisa Hamlin, Matthew Mayr, and Heather Tackney and her beloved grandchildren: Christian Mayr, Abby Mayr, Charlie Mayr, Alexis Tackney, Hunter Tackney, and Ashley Tackney. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Thomas Mayr, with whom she shared a deep and enduring bond.
For over 40 years, Gretchen served as both the heart and the hands of the Sherwood Forest Water Company. Her work there was more than a job, it was a calling that shaped her days and enriched her community. 
In addition to her work with the Water Company, Gretchen ran the Sherwood Forest Archives, where she preserved the history and heart of the community, meticulously gathering photographs, stories, and memorabilia from Sherwood’s founding to the present. One of her most challenging and favorite projects was identifying faces in Summer Camp group photos, some dating back over 60 years, a task that revealed her commitment to preserving the spirit and history of the place she loved.
Gretchen co-authored two treasured books documenting the history of Sherwood Forest homes and their generations of owners: “Smothers, Open Those Old Brown Gates” and “Sherwood on the Severn Blue”.  These works stand as lasting tributes to her passion for storytelling and community.
She also had a deep love for animals, especially her dogs who were always close by her side. Her faithful companion Toby held a special place in her heart, fiercely loyal and protective, a true source of comfort and companionship.
Gretchen's joy, laughter, and wisdom brought warmth and happiness to everyone fortunate enough to know her.  Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the history she preserved, and the family who loved her deeply.
A memorial gathering will be held at the Sherwood Forest Clubhouse on Thursday, June 26 and you are welcome to join us anytime between 5 to 7 PM to celebrate her life. All who knew and loved Gretchen are welcome to attend and celebrate her remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Gretchen’s memory to the Sherwood Forest Archives, C/O Club Office, 134 Sherwood Forest Road, Sherwood Forest, MD 21405. 
Online condolences may be offered using the Memories link on this page.


Friends and family are invited to celebrate Richard's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Wednesday, June 11 from 10 am to 12 pm followed by a funeral service at 12 pm. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Rd., Clinton, MD.

A full obituary will be posted on here soon.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.



Relatives and friends are invited to Christopher's Life Celebration on Friday, June 13, 2025 from 2 to 8 P.M. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745. A service and burial will take place at a later date.

Beth “Bebee” Blankenship, 47, a 5-year resident of Davidsonville, MD and previously of Edgewater passed away at her home on May 27, 2025 after battling cancer. Born on January 1, 1978 in Sioux City, IA, Beth graduated from Southern High School before establishing a lifelong career as a homemaker. She loved spending time with her family and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her brother, Michael Soussonin. She is survived by her beloved partner and fiancé of 11 years, Leonard Eustanos; her children, Kenny Lowe, Jr. of Friendship, MD, Mattalyn Snider of FL, and Alaina Stockett of Davidsonville, MD; her step-children, Leonard Eustanos, II of Davidsonville, MD, Joseph Eustanos of Davidsonville, MD, Tristan Eustanos of San Antonio, TX, and Lucie Eustanos of Davidsonville, MD; her brothers, Vince Long of Westminster, MD and Harley Inzer of Greensboro, MD; her grandchildren, Kolby, Westlee, and Maverick, with another one on the way; her step-father, David Long, and her mother, Barbara Blankenship. 

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Beth's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, June 3 from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 pm. 

Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Patricia True on Saturday, June 21 at 11AM at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037.

We honor and celebrate the life of Mary Beverly Dodson Rawlings a beloved wife, a devoted mother, a cherished friend, and a woman of incredible strength and grace who on May 26, 2025 was reunited with her husband, Pete, after succumbing to complications related to dementia.
 
Beverly was a woman of two worlds—Military and Civilian—and she carried the best of both in her heart. Born October 26. 1935 in San Antonio, Texas, she was fiercely proud to be the daughter of Rear Admiral Joseph and Mary Dodson (USN), the spouse of Colonel Peter Rawlings (USAF), as well as a military mom and grandmother. A sense of duty also befalls military dependents, and, like her father and her husband, Beverly embodied the values of a true patriot, a guardian of freedom, and a symbol of strength as she kept the home fires burning through the separations military life makes necessary. Her ties to, and support of, our country shaped her into the passionate, strong, and loving person we all knew. She had a warmth that could light up any room and a spirit that made everyone feel at home. After years of service, she and Pete enjoyed their retirement years in genteel and civilian style, first running Quail Run Farm and finally in a gracious home in Williamsburg, Virginia.
 
Her hospitality was her joy. It was her way of bringing people together. She poured her heart into every event, every party, every card, and every incredibly thoughtful gesture. She shared love and joy generously with everyone who walked into her life.
 
But above all, Beverly was the heart of our family. Celebrating her life are her three children, E. Scott Rawlings, Lynn Rawlings Scalise, and Todd Rawlings (Amy); her eight grandchildren, Heather, Sarah, Connor, Peter (Ashley), Alex, Malie, Brittany (Dennis), and Aaron (Megan); and her five great grandchildren Mia, Hazel, Willow, Zoey and Lucas.
 
Our family extends our thanks to her caregivers – we are profoundly grateful for their compassionate and loving care; they were truly an extension of the family. Her family suggests donations in Beverly’s memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Beverly and Pete will be interred together at a later date.
 
The day Pete and Beverly met Pete spied her on the other side of a swimming pool. He dove in, swam across the pool, popped up near Beverly and announced he was going to marry her one day. True to his word, they celebrated over 60 years together with him signing every card to her “love you forever”. Beverly’s family is happy to know their “forever” begins again today. Isiah 40:31

Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.
 

Elizabeth “Betty” Madelene Poole went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2025. Born on June 26, 1934 in Washington, DC to the late Howard A. and Elizabeth M. Stoffl Vermillion, Betty met her husband, Thurston, through a co-worker at Western Electric and they were married on June 26, 1958. Together, they raised their family in District Heights, MD where they lived on Kipling Parkway for 33 years. They were parishioners of Mt. Calvary Catholic Church, where their children went to elementary school. The boys then attended Bishop McNamara High School and Susan attended St. Patrick’s High School in Washington, DC.

After Thurston’s retirement in 1990, they moved over the Bay Bridge to Kent Island Estates where they attended St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Chester and were very active in the parish. A woman of deep faith, Betty was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and her spiritual life was a cornerstone of her identity and brought her great comfort throughout the years.

Betty enjoyed being a mother and raising her children and taking them wherever she went. She would often take the children to spend time at her family’s restaurant, the Oakland Inn, on Marlboro Pike in District Heights. The Oakland Inn was a place of fond memories for the family where they celebrated everything from birthdays to First Holy Communions to graduations. Over the years, Betty and her children also worked at the Oakland Inn from time to time.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 52 years, Thurston E. Poole, Sr. and her loving sister, Jacqueline M. Hanson.

Betty is survived by her loving children, Thurston E. (Jill) Poole, Jr., Robert H. (Jeanne) Poole, James H. (Timothy) Poole, Susan E. (Gene) Killian, Richard M. (Carla) Poole and Mark C. (Nicole) Poole; her 15 grandchildren: Thurston’s children Shawn and Kathryn Poole and Jessica Akers; Robert’s children Madeline, Hannah and Sophie Poole; Susan’s children Nickolas Poole, Erik Killian; Richard’s children, Ava, Ethan, Gabriella, Mia, and Jacob Poole; Mark’s children Abigail and Violet Poole and 6 great grandchildren, Nickolas and Ashleigh Poole’s children, Grayson, Dalton and Stetson Poole. Jessica and Matt Akers’ children Aarica McMillan, Lillie and Alyvia Akers and 1 great-great grandchild, Aarica and Nicky McMillan’s child, Rush McMillan. Their lives are a testament to her enduring love and guidance. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, June 10 at 10:30AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St. Annapolis, MD. Interment will follow at 1:00 pm at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Rd in Crownsville MD.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor St. Martin’s Home, 601 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore MD 21228.
www.littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org/donate/

May Betty’s memory bring comfort to those who knew her and serve as a lasting reminder of a life well lived.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories link on this page.

Julia Norton Fegley, 94, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025, at Anne Arundel Medical Center. A woman of deep faith, unwavering commitment to community, and boundless love for her family, Julia leaves behind a legacy of service, kindness, and love. She will be deeply missed.

Born on August 20, 1930, Julia was the youngest of nine children raised on the Norton family farm in Stony Point, North Carolina. From an early age, she was drawn to helping others and followed that calling throughout her life. She attended Mitchell Community College in Statesville, NC, and went on to study at Union Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. She later earned a master’s degree in Christian Education from the University of Virginia.

Julia began her career in New Orleans, Louisiana, working at Canal Street Presbyterian Church and the Sam Barthe School. It was there she met the love of her life, Harry D. Fegley, with whom she shared 60 wonderful years of marriage. After moving to the Washington, DC area, Julia served in various leadership roles, including Director of Christian Education at both Trinity Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, VA. She also served as Vice Moderator of the National Capital Union Presbytery and later as an elder and associate pastor at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, where she and Harry were devoted members for many years.

In 2000, Julia and Harry moved to Annapolis to be closer to their growing family and to enjoy the natural beauty and maritime life of the Chesapeake Bay. They became active members of the West River Sailing Club and spent many memorable seasons sailing locally and along the eastern seaboard, from the Bahamas and Key West to the Great Lakes, Canadian waters, and Provincetown, aboard their beloved vessels, the cutter Dauntless and trawler Baraka. Summers were often spent at their beach property in Delaware, where she found no greater joy than gathering with cherished family and friends to celebrate summers, holidays, and special events.

Julia embraced her new Annapolis community wholeheartedly and energetically. She sang with the Heritage Harbour Choir, participated in the Severn Town Club, tutored deserving Anne Arundel County students in reading and math, and volunteered with the Anne Arundel Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, helping seniors and low-income residents navigate tax season with care and compassion.

Julia was predeceased by her husband, Harry Donald Fegley, and her eldest son, David Norton Fegley. She is survived by her sons, Donald (Lynn) Fegley of Shady Side, MD, and Andrew (Amanda) Fegley of Annapolis, MD; as well as four grandchildren: Alexander (Elizabeth), Katharine, Aurora (Alex), and Zachary.

A celebration of Julia’s life will be held later this summer. She will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband and lifetime companion, Harry, at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity of your choice in Julia’s memory.

Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.

Georgia Ann Fallin, 85, a 5-year resident of Arnold, Maryland and previously an 11-year resident of Lothian passed away on May 26, 2025 after a 10-year battle with dementia. Born on December 21, 1939 in Washington, DC, Georgia graduated from Oxon Hill High School before establishing a career with 
C & P Telephone Company, where she worked from 1958 to 1962. After this, she worked as a homemaker, “Avon Lady”, babysitter, and for DHS Designs. She was a parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville and a member of the National Capital Daylily Society. In her spare time, Georgia enjoyed gardening, interior design, travel, and most of all, spending time with her family and friends. She is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Wayne Fallin; her daughters, Lina Fallin (Butch Wright), Tracy Fallin, and Stephanie Crawford (Kevin Crawford), all of Arnold; her sister, Carol Ballantyne of Annapolis; her granddaughter, Kristi Crawford of Annapolis; and her great-grandchild, Harlie Georgia Edwards.  Family and friends are invited to gather and celebrate Georgia’s life on Saturday, June 7 from 1 to 2:30 pm at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD, followed immediately by a memorial service at 2:30 pm. Flowers may be delivered to Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake (90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 or online <a href="https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/">here</a>). Please leave a condolence for the family by signing the guestbook at the Memories tab located on the left side of this page.

We honor and celebrate The life of Illuminada Benzon, who is a devoted wife and a very loving mother and is now reunited with her youngest sister, Julie, younger brother, Bhoy, and mother, Elena, and father Pacifico on Monday, May 26, 2025, at the age of 71 and three weeks, after battling multiple complications from leukemia. 

 Born in the Philippines on May 5, 1954, in a small town called San Jose, Florida Blanca Pampanga a stones throw from Manila. Immigrating to the United States in 1976 under the sponsorship of a World Bank employee, Josephine Sarmiento, she dedicated her life to building a family and a new life in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. In 1979, she married, Eduardo Benzon. In 1980 she had a son named Joseph Benzon. She resided in Arlington, Virginia; Capital Heights Maryland ; Forestville, Maryland; and finally, Clinton, Maryland..

A devoted wife and mother, she leaves behind a legacy of hard work, unwavering love, and boundless generosity. For over two decades, she served as a nurse in a nursing home, retiring in 2016 as a medical records specialist. Despite being the only member of her immediate family in America, she maintained strong ties to her homeland, returning for the first time in 1996 (After 20 years ), And multiple times with the last visit in 2018.

Her main talent; oh what a great cook she was. She can cater a whole feast. She can cook up a whole banquet. Passionate about cooking ever since she was young she would just observe her aunts and her mother, and she would mentally take note of how recipes were made. Meticulously copying what they did for certain dishes. She never wrote anything down she truly cooked from the heart. 

While her passing is a profound loss to all who knew her – family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors – we find solace in knowing that after bravely battling strokes over the past two years, she is finally at peace. 

Mary of sorrows, pray for us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us. 
In the name of the father and the son the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Illuminada's Life on Friday, June 6th from 2-8 P.M. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 

Mark James Walsh, Jr., 88, of Los Angeles, CA passed away on May 25, 2025 in Crofton, MD. Born on April 6, 1937 in Fairbury, NE to the late Mark James Walsh, Sr. and Katherine Kyler Walsh, Mark received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the University of Notre Dame before establishing his career as a Certified Public Accountant and partner at Deloitte, where he rose to the Senior Partner level and served as Managing Partner of the Dallas, Texas office. 
He loved all things Notre Dame, especially football, and being in nature. He particularly enjoyed spending time in the National Parks, often camping with his brother Greg and sister-in-law Sara. Mark always lived life to the fullest. In addition to having a successful career, he was a private pilot and went hiking, backpacking, RV-ing, and snow skiing well into his 80s. 
Mark was a single digit handicap golfer, and as a member of the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, he was Chairman of the Los Angeles Open, a major PGA golf tournament still contested today. 
Most of all, Mark loved his children and grandchildren. Mark had a happy marriage to his former wife, Judy Walsh, and their friendship endured throughout their lives. In addition to his parents, Mark was preceded in death by his brother, Gregory (Sara) Walsh. He is survived by his children, Kelly (Rob Easley) Walsh of San Francisco, CA, Michael Walsh of Weatherford, TX, John (Terrie) Walsh of Dallas, TX, and Christy Walsh of Washington, DC; his brothers, Robert (Kathie) Walsh of Winston Salem, NC, and Craig (Maureen) Walsh of Breckenridge, CO; and his grandchildren, Andrew (Melissa), Megan, and Lauren. He is predeceased in death by his former wife, Joyce Young. He will always be remembered for his intellect, his sense of humor, his personal charm, and his dedication to his family.
Arrangements for Mark are private.  Online condolences and tributes can be made by using the memories link on the left of this page.

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