Marie Almina Bryan Etter - Obituary

arie “Reds” Bryan Etter, 89, of Friendly Maryland, beloved wife, mother and friend passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2016. Marie was born March 14, 1927 in Emporia, Kansas to the late Frank and Esther Bryan. In 1945 she joined her sister, Irene, in Washington D.C. Shortly after arriving in the city, she met Lewis “Lew” Etter; they were married on May 26, 1949 in Forestville, Maryland. They settled in Friendly in 1951 and started their family in 1959. She had a great passion for gardening and started all her flowers and vegetables by seed. She took great pride in her yard and garden. She was also a very good cook. Every Christmas Eve she would make homemade pizza for the family. She would also make dozens of cookies for family and friends during the holidays. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved making crafts with the grandchildren and playing board games. In addition to her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Lewis “Lew” Etter Sr., her sister, Irene “Blondie” Wood and brother-in-law, Willis (John) Wood. She is survived by her children, Lewis Jr. (Dave) Etter and wife Laura of Waldorf, Maryland, Barry K. Etter and wife Toni of Mechanicsville, Maryland, and Julie A. Etter of Mechanicsville, Maryland, four grandchildren Nicole Holley, Sarah Etter, Jessica Smyth and Rebecca Smyth, and two great-grandchildren Jonathon Holley and Alyssa Holley. Friends are invited to celebrate Marie’s life with her family on August 3, 2016 at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America at www.pva.org