Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Leslie Ann Bowie Smith Dorsey (Chip) died peacefully on November 10, 2024, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Washington, DC, to Edward James and Ann Smith. She is survived by her three children: Maj. Joshua W. Dorsey, IV, USMC Ret. and his wife Elizabeth; Ann Bowie Briscoe and her husband Tommy; and Achsah Dorsey Keegan and her husband James; and her nine grandchildren: Simon H. Keegan, II (Haveril) and his wife Jane; Joshua W. Dorsey, V (Quint); Eleanore L. Gartner (Leslie); Achsah Foster Dorsey and her husband Eric;  John Douglas Stephenson; Rebekah S. Dorsey; CPT James D. Keegan, USA; Hannah E. Dorsey;  Bennet B. O. Dorsey (Bearre), and by her three great-grandchildren John P. Keegan, Benjamin H. Keegan (Ben), and Katherine S. Thomas (Kit). Chip is also survived by 3 of her sisters Madge Yewell, Franci Wyrough, and Cissy Millspaugh.

Chip was predeceased by her husband, Col. Joshua W. Dorsey, III, USMC, her sister Stuart Graham and her brothers Edward Smith (Boy) and Richard Darnall Smith (Big D), as well as by her brothers-in-law Benjamin Dorsey (Ben), David Graham, Thomas Yewell (Tom) and Richard Wyrough (Dick) and her sisters-in-law Achsah Bowie Dorsey Smith and Elizabeth Bradley Dorsey (Lee). 

Chip was the matriarch of a large extended family. In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she was beloved by her many, many nieces and nephews and her dear and loyal friends, old and new. She will be greatly missed.
Chip grew up on Melwood Farm in Upper Marlboro, MD, before moving to Mt. Airy. She was the oldest of 7 siblings, and everyone knew she was the boss. She loved to ride her pony, High Socks, drive the pony cart, and later ride her horse named Cal. She attended school at St. Mary’s of Upper Marlboro and the Madeira School in McLean, VA, along with her horse Cal. She attended Briarcliff Junior College in New York before enrolling at the University of Maryland College Park. She graduated in 1951 with a degree in history. There she was a member of the Riding Club, Clef and Key, Newman Club, and the Rally Committee. She was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority and played on the winning team of the Powder Puff Football Bowl held at Maryland Stadium to raise funds for charity. She was a proud Maryland Terrapin; she went so far as to name her home “Terrapin Hill” and was an avid collector of turtles, especially terrapins, in all forms.
After school, Chip worked as a legal secretary until she was married in 1957. As the wife of an active-duty Marine Corps officer, she traveled the world supporting her husband and raising her children. She was a member of the Marine Officers’ Wives Club.
Once she retired, Chip moved to Frederick, MD, and lived in a glorious historic house with her sisters and brothers-in-law. She enjoyed hosting parties, playing bridge, traveling the world, especially to Mexico every year, collecting antiques and art. She also enjoyed spending time at Bethany Beach, DE. She cherished time spent with all her family and friends, who were also considered family. She loved history and was a supporter of historical preservation efforts, especially in Maryland. She was an original member of the Hexagon Club in Washington, DC, where she met her husband. She was also a member of the Marlboro Hunt Club, The Forest Garden Club, the Frederick Garden Club, and the Sulgrave Club. As a descendent of Leonard Calvert, the first Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland, she was a member of the Society of the Ark and the Dove, and the Colonial Dames of America, Chapter 3.

The family will receive visitors at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD, on Friday, December 6, from 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 pm.
A memorial mass and celebration of life reception will be held at a later date in Upper Marlboro, MD. Private inurnment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena, MD, the American Cancer Society, Disabled American Veterans, or a Maryland Historical Society of your choice.

An online guestbook is available by visiting the Memories link on this page.

Leslie "Chip" Ann Bowie Smith Dorsey

Leslie "Chip" Ann Bowie Smith Dorsey

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