Marianne Chawluk Drumm - Obituary

ommy, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Mimi, Friend Marianne Drumm, age 74, of Crofton, MD, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at Luminis Hospital in Annapolis. The oldest of four children, Marianne was born in Philadelphia in 1948 to the late Bohdan and Sophie Chawluk. All four of her grandparents were born in Ukraine. Always a diligent student, Marianne graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1965. Her friends remember how passionate she was about academic excellence and involvement in school activities, including synchronized swimming, playing the violin, and studying foreign languages. She received scholarships to Smith, Bryn Mawr, and the University of Pennsylvania but ultimately accepted an offer from Wellesley College. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in the class of 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. From there she continued her studies at Columbia University, achieving degrees in political science and Russian studies. Here she met and fell in love with Robert Drumm, claiming from the first time she saw him that “[he] is the man I’m going to marry.” As we all know, if Marianne says it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. They were married on August 2, 1975, in the blazing sun at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. Marianne’s background in political science led her to join Bob at the National Security Agency (NSA) in Ft. Meade, where they both dedicated 30 years. They bought a home in Crofton, MD in 1981 and never left. Before her retirement from the Department of Defense, Marianne received not one, but two Meritorious Civilian Service awards; additionally, she was selected to be part of the prestigious Director’s Fellowship Program at NSA. Always strong in faith, Marianne also chose a church “home” in Annapolis, MD, at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. She remained an active member there for over 40 years. She served as head of the Worship and Music Committee and had her own mailbox in the church office. Marianne and Bob couldn’t wait to start a family of their own, and were overjoyed to welcome first Julia and then Nicholas in 1982 and 1986, respectively, baptizing them both at St. Martin’s; these two quickly became Marianne’s world. The only thing even better than her two children, however, were her grandchildren–they became Marianne’s universe. Marianne’s favorite role was as Mimi to Allison (aka “Allie Cat”), Theodore (aka “Teddy Bear”), and Eleanor (aka “Nora”). Marianne’s hobbies and interests revolved around the people she loved. Fondly nicknamed “Gramazon” by her children and “Mimi” by her grandbabies, she enjoyed sharing her love of reading, sending unexpected gifts, deepening her faith, watching British murder mysteries and sharing carefully-chosen articles with everyone she knew. She loved fiercely, and although she was a self-proclaimed introvert, she had friends everywhere she smiled. More than anything else, Marianne cherished time spent with those she held most dear. In addition to her parents, Marianne was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Alan Carp and cousin Eugene Kredensor. Marianne is survived by her sister, Patricia Babusci; brothers John and Thom Chawluk; her husband of 48 years, Robert Drumm; her daughter, Julia (and son-in-law, Kyle Saye); her son Nicholas (and daughter-in-law, Emilee); her grandchildren Allie, Teddy, and Nora; and, an asthmatic cat named Charlie (a legacy to be reckoned with!). A celebration of life was held on October 14, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Martin’s Church in Annapolis, MD, where she now rests in the Peace Garden. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, Mimi, Tata/Aunt, and friend who will be genuinely missed by all who knew her. The service can be viewed at the following link: Some days it feels impossible to move on without her, but she is embedded in everything we love and believe in and we feel her presence every day. Her family and friends will continue to learn how to live with a “Marianne-sized hole in their hearts.” She said that in the end, “Loving kindness, she now feels, is the only completely real thing in the world.” In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in memory of Marianne Drumm to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through her personalized page so that we can continue the fight against cancer.