Veronica M. Shourds - Obituary

Veronica Mary (Riedl) Shourds "Gam" "Bonnie" May 10, 1924 - June 16, 2022 Veronica Mary Shourds, age 98, was carried to heaven by her angels in the early hours of June 16, 2022, after a courageous battle with vascular dementia. Veronica was born in 1924 in Scranton, PA, and grew up surrounded by her 5 siblings and her loving family. Veronica was deeply influenced by her faith in God and her strong devotion to the Catholic Church. She was a very loving and caring woman, always giving of her time to others. and she exuded joy and faith throughout her life. Veronica moved to Washington, DC in 1942, and it was there that she met her husband, Robert (Bob) R. Shourds, at the USO where she and her twin sister would perform for the troops. Robert and Veronica were married in 1944 and raised their family of 8 children in DC and MD. She was a homemaker at heart but also spent her time after her children grew up as a high school Special Education Assistant and a substitute teacher. Robert preceded Veronica in death in 1998. Veronica is survived by her 8 children, Eileen M. Upperman (William), Robert R. Shourds (Carla), Jeanne A. Catrow (Douglas), Patricia A. Nevill (James), Veronica M. Skinner (Michael), John S. Shourds (Meredith), Gerard M. Shourds (Laurie), and Mary M. Shourds (William Stehle). She is also Gammy to her 34 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren, whom she adored and were a constant source of joy to her. Throughout her married life, Veronica was a member of Holy Family Church, Hillcrest Heights, MD, St. John the Evangelist, Clinton, MD, and St. Mary's Church, Piscataway, MD. Veronica's credo for her life was "Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry" (St. Padre Pio), and she fostered an unending devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary. Please join the family in celebrating Veronica's life at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville, MD on Tuesday, June 21, beginning with a visitation from 10:30 a.m. until 12 noon and followed by Mass of Christian Burial beginning at noon. Family and friends will then meet at Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton, MD at 2:15 p.m. for the burial. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to World Villages for Children (Fr. Dan Leary) Online Here or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation Online here or Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 Online Here Online condolences and memories may be offered online using the Memories link on the left side of this page.