Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

On Monday. November 11, 2019; the beloved wife of Gary Smith; mother of Erica Wilson and Melanie Weishar; grandmother of Natalie Weishar; daughter of Theodore Wilson and Ardell Perry; sister of Kevin Wilson and Theodora "Cookie" Sinkfield; godmother and aunt of Ebony Jackson and aunt of Keena Smith; mother-in-law of Jason Weishar. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Tami's Life Celebration on Sunday, November 17, 2019 from 12 p.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD. Interment private at a later date.

Harry William (Bill) Ivey


Preceded in death by his wife of over 60+ years, Josephine J. Ivey (deceased December 2014) and pets Angel and Rockie.

He enjoyed watching Nationals Baseball, following current events, listening to old music, his beloved dogs, and eating good food, especially sweets.

Bill served proudly in the U.S. Navy.

His is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and extended family, long time close friend Doug, and his dedicated caregiver Portia and the staff at Angels Heart.

On Sunday, November 10, Bowen (Bo) Joseph Levy passed away peacefully at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. Bo was eight days shy of his 18th birthday and he exited this world exactly as he entered it; surrounded by love and with dignity and grace. 

Bowen was the beloved son of Bryan and Tanya Levy, and attended Central Special since he was a preschooler. Bowen lived with autism; however, his condition did not affect his spirit. Blessed with an infectious laugh and boundless energy, Bo made every single person he encountered smile. He possessed a heart of gold and loved his family, eating great food, and everything Elmo. Even Bowen’s last act on earth was one of generosity, as his organs were donated to help save the lives of others. His family takes great comfort knowing that the beating of his heart, the breath in his lungs, and the twinkle of his eyes will live on in others. 
Bo is survived by his parents who devoted every single day to ensuring he lived the most wonderful life possible. His two sisters, Addison Levy and Destyn Hughes, loved him deeply and will miss him every day. Bo is also survived by his doting grandparents, Marsha Alton, Alan Levy, Anita Snyder and Dean Moore, as well as countless aunts, uncles and cousins who are blessed for every day they loved, and were loved, by Bo. The world is simply a better place because he was in it.

A private celebration honoring the life of Bowen will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to the Bowen Foundation for Autism, C/O The Arc of the Central Chesapeake, 1332 Donald Avenue, Severn, MD 21144. The Bowen Foundation was launched in 2007 to improve the lives of children living with Autism in Anne Arundel County and to date has donated more than $400,000 to local families in need. Online condolences can be made through www.kalasfuneralhomes.com.


Stephen Michael Kurak, Michael to his family, was born in Washington, DC on March 18, 1956, and died on November 10, 2019 in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1998 following a 23-year career with the submarine force.


He is loved and remembered by his daughter, Victoria Kurak Sievers (Todd Sievers), his three grandchildren, Collin, Witten, and Virginia; his siblings John Kurak, Andrea M. Kurak, and Tracy Rice; and step-mother, Patricia Kurak; former spouses Judith Ann Kurak, with whom he shared his military career years, and Janice M. Rowe, with whom he shared many of his retirement years; and and by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. He is predeceased by his father, Steve Kurak, mother Margaret Sweeney Kurak, and brother William “Teddy” Kurak.

 

Family and Friends may come together to remember Steve on Monday, November 25, 2019 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, Maryland. A brief service of remembrance will be held at Kalas on Tuesday, November 26 at 11:00 a.m., followed by Military Honors at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery at 1 p.m.

 

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to National Public Radio (https://www.npr.org/donations/support), Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation (https://lostdogrescue.org/), and vote Democrat in the next election. 

Richard C. Dickenson, 82, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2019 in Annapolis after suffering with Parkinson’s disease for 22 years.  He was born on May 9, 1937 in Iowa Falls, IA to the late David and Bessie Dickenson.  He graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1955.  In January 1956, Dick enlisted in the US Navy.  After boot camp he attended Electronic Technician School in Treasure Island, CA, finishing in October 1956.
He then married high school sweetheart, Janeice Swart, on October 20, 1956 and set off for his first duty assignment in Adak, Alaska.  His next assignment was at the Naval Security Station at Ft. Meade from 1958-59.  Upon completion of his military obligation, Dick transitioned to civilian employment where he worked at the National Security Agency.  He received many awards including the Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1979 and the Senior Technical Award in 1985.  Dick retired from NSA in 1994.
At the time of his death, he and his wife Janeice were members of Calvary United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed mission trips with his Calvary friends to Guatemala and Appalachia.  His most memorial trip was to the Holy Land in January 2014.  Dick’s interests included fishing, golfing, bowling and computers.  In his younger years he enjoyed dirt biking.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janeice, his daughters Katherine (Kevin) Andrews of Fulton, MD and Kimberly (Louis) Papuchis of Olney, MD; two sisters, Bernella (Loren) Meyers and Judy (Randy) Duffy and four grandchildren Elysse and George Papuchis and Alexandra and Cameron Andrews.  
A memorial service will be held at Calvary United Methodist Church on Rowe Blvd in Annapolis on Friday, 15 November beginning at 11:00 am.  A visitation will preceed the service at the church from 10:00-11:00.  Refreshments will follow in the church fellowship hall.  Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Calvary UM Church or to the Parkinson’s Foundation. 

Please take a moment and leave a condolence for Dick's family by using the tab on this page.

A Memorial Mass will be offered on Monday, December 9, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Chapel Services, 2301 Wilson Way, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234. Interment with Military Honors will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to: Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, N. Santa Rosa Street, San Antonio, TX 78207.

Augusta M. Oldfield, age 87, of Annapolis, Maryland (formerly of Nebraska City and Papillion, Nebraska) passed away on November 8, 2019 in Annapolis, Maryland. 

Augusta Byrom Oldfield was born in Auburn, Nebraska on May 29, 1932.  She grew up and attended school in Auburn where she graduated from Auburn High School.  Augusta married George L. Oldfield on September 12, 1949.  She was a devoted Air Force wife to George for 63 years, and a loving mother of 4 children. 

Augusta was preceded in death by her loving husband, George, in 2013, her great granddaughter, Hope, in 2017, and all her siblings.  She is survived by children Don (Sharon) Oldfield of Graham, Texas; Michelle Oldfield of Annapolis, Maryland; Tom (Sharon) Oldfield of Frisco, Texas and Cheri (Jim) Schmitz of Boerne, Texas. 

Augusta’s greatest joy was to be a grandmother to Joshua (Joy) Tidwell, Meghan Tidwell, Aaron Koch, Lauren (Kris) Mahan, Lindsey (Jake) Fox and Tyler (Macy) Straw.  Her great grandchildren include Justin, Annie, Mary Mae, Nicholas, Matthew, Cassidy, Noah and Micah.  She is also remembered by many nieces, nephews and friends. 

Augusta and George enjoyed traveling together and sharing time with their family.  Augusta also loved playing the piano, sewing, crafting, reading, collecting antiques and shopping.  She volunteered in her church over the years with children and senior adults.  She enjoyed being a homemaker, creating a warm and welcoming home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001

Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 at Gude Mortuary in Nebraska City, where a funeral services will be held Monday, November 18, 2019 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Wyuka Cemetery.  

Dora Jean “Dodie” Mitchell, 78, a resident of Stevensville and previously of Annapolis, MD, passed away on November 7, 2019.  Born in Annapolis on November 30, 1940 to the late Frank and Mary Dulaney, Dodie attended Annapolis High School.  She was a caretaker at Quiet Waters Farm.  Dodie enjoyed playing bingo and watching a good television show.  Most of all, she loved spending time with her family.  Dodie was preceded in death by her loving husband of 42 years, Charles Mitchell who died in 2004.  She is survived by her son, Douglas Mitchell of Stevensville and Karen Mitchell of Dunkirk, MD; two brothers, Frank Dulaney of Annapolis and Mike Dulaney of Severna Park, MD; three sisters, Cecelia Tyler of Crownsville, MD, Juanita Treffer of Pawleys Island, SC and Mary Jane Meredith of Odenton, MD; and two granddaughters, Megan and Peyton Mitchell.
Friends are invited to celebrate Dodie’s life with her family from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 10 at the Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD where Dodie’s funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 11.  Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Emphysema Foundation, 128 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Please take a moment to sign the family's online guestbook by visiting the link on this page.

Virginia Smith Gill, 96, of Annapolis passed away on November 7, 2019 due to complications of a fall. Virginia was born in Chestertown, MD on March 18, 1923 to the late J. Earl and Lola Smith. Virginia was a graduate of Church Hill High School. She worked for the Sears Catalog company for 25 years before she retired. Virginia was a member of the Eastport United Methodist Church as well as the Order of the Eastern Star. She enjoyed playing card games, especially duplicate bridge, knitting and crocheting. Virginia also played softball on the 1938 State Championship team. In addition to her parents Virginia was predeceased in death by her husband, J. Allen Gill whom she married in 1942; and her daughter, Joan Palmer. Virginia is survived by her son, James A. (Barbara) Gill, Jr. of Edgewater, son-in-law, Doug Palmer of Bethany Beach, DE; siblings, Charles Smith of Chestertown, Pearl Plummer of Fairlee and Sue Hadaway of Annapolis; Grandchildren, Jamie (Renee) Gill, Laura (Richie) Ward and Allison (Tom) Barnhill; and six great-grandchildren. Friends are invited to celebrate Virginia's life with her family on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 11 am until a memorial service begins at 1 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Entombment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: JDRF.org or the Alzheimer's Association: ACT.ALZ.org/donate.

On line condolences may be left by using the Memory tab on this page.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Christiane's life on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 1 pm until 3 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, Md 21037. Interment will be private. Please take a moment and leave a condolence by using the tab on this page.

Catherine Cammer, age 61, passed away on November 7, 2019 after a five-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. She was born in Chicago, Illinois to the late Rita V. and Edward L. Cammer, Sr. Cathie  graduated from Andover High School in 1976 and resided in Linthicum Heights, MD. She was employed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the past 41 years. She was a faithful follower in the Catholic church. A cheerleader for the Baltimore Colts for a season, Cathie enjoyed dancing throughout her youth. She is survived by her sister, Arlene Kolb (Joseph) and her brother, Edward L. Cammer, Jr. She was the loving aunt to Karen Kulp (Carl), Heather Adamson (J.D.). Brittany Mills (Jayson), Alexis Kolb, Kaitlyn Cammer, Lauren Cammer, Claire Cammer and great aunt to Carl Kulp, Garrett Kulp, Hailey Adamson, Chelsea Adamson, Madyson Cox, Jonathan Mills and Aiden Mills. Friends and invited to celebrate Cathie's life on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 from 7 to 9 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November  13, 2019 at 10:30 am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122. 

Cheverly MD - Vashti Barbara Blanchard, 71, (divorced) died Thursday, November 7, 2019 at Prince George's Hospital following an illness.

She leaves her daughter, LaTisha Blanchard Floyd; her daughter Norritta Barbara Blanchard; her son, Norman Reed Blanchard, Jr.; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; three living brothers, three sisters and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends.

After graduating from Eastern High School, 1967, she attended Strayer University and began her career in the government as a Computer Specialist. 

She was retired grandmother who took an active role in providing guidance and love to her own family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren and extended her love and fostered numerous children through the Prince Georges County Department of Social Services.

Born and raised in Washington DC, the daughter of Harden Evans and Dorothy Armstrong.

She is preceded in death by her father Harden Evans; mother Dorothy Armstrong; sister Alta Evans; sister Delores Johnson.

Relatives and friends are invited to Vashti's Life Celebration on Monday, November 18, 2019 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD. Services and interment private at a later date.

Mrs. Irene Wright Fields was born on December 27, 1933 to the late William Wright and Ida Horton Wright.  She departed this life on November 6, 2019 in Fort Washington, Maryland. 

Born the second of seven children and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Irene attended the historic Burke High School. Soon after, she married her husband of 64 years, Charles E. Fields.  As a dedicated wife and mother, Irene was known as an independent and outspoken woman devoted to supporting her children and husband’s military career.  Irene loved domestic as well as international travel and especially enjoyed frequent trips to her home in South Carolina, and the Caribbean including the Bahamas.  Her hobbies included playing Bridge, making ceramics and stained glass, drawing, and whale-watching. 

Irene worked as an H&R Block Instructor, Supervisor, and Tax Preparer.  She was an accomplished accountant and financial consultant.  Irene was also a supervisor in the Future Farmers of America Circulation Department and worked for the University of Maryland Extension Program as a Financial Advisor. 

Early in her life, Irene volunteered her time and talents to serve as a “Gray Lady” of the American Red Cross.  She served as a room mother at her children’s school as well as in the school’s Nursing office.  Additionally, Mrs. Fields proudly served as the Maryland Prince George’s County Representative to the Kennedy Center Decorator’s Show House for the National Symphony Orchestra.  But most of all, she was proud to be a homemaker.  She absolutely loved to cook and bake, and everyone, especially her husband, loved to EAT her cooking and baking.  True to her South Carolina heritage, there was always sweet tea, Pepsi, pie, cake, or a pot of rice ready for anybody that came.  Irene, the consummate hostess, was famous for her ability to put together and serve an entire meal in 15 minutes.  All were welcomed to her kitchen table to eat, drink, and chat.  Charlie grew fig trees and Irene made preserves to share with her friends and neighbors.  It was always a treat to have Mrs. Fields’ buttered biscuits and Fig preserves. 

Irene was an excellent listener and confidant; full of wise advice and a spicy word or two.  She spoke, loved, and gave from her heart; a true Renaissance woman ahead of her time who lived her life by the creed of “Trust, Respect, and Responsibility.”

Irene is predeceased by her parents.  Siblings, Annabelle Miller, William Wright, Joe Leon Wright, and Robert Wright.  And beloved husband COL Charles E. Fields. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Charles E. Fields II, Zulkifl III, Karen E. Fields, Alan E. Fields, and Kirk E. Fields.  Siblings, Rosalin Thompson and Ivy Coleman.  Brother-in-law Julius C. Fields, sisters-in-law Myrna Fields Youmans and Henrietta Fields.  Grandchildren, Lateef Brier, Antilla Zulkifl, April Fields, Janice Fields, Angelique Defilipo, Charles Fields III, Rad Peña, Uriel Peña, Kalyn Zulkifl, and Elena Zulkifl. Great-Grandchildren, Ava Mitchell and Alaina Manning.  A host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.  And countless devoted friends.

Mrs. Irene W. Fields will be interred alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 14, 2019 at 2 pm. Please arrive 45 minutes prior to the scheduled time.

In lieu of flowers, an expression of sympathy can be made as a contribution to the American Red Cross.

www.redcross.org/donate

1(800)-HELP NOW (1.800.435.7669)

On Tuesday, November 6, 2019; the beloved husband of Peggy Lynn Jackson; father of Robin Ward, Kimberly Simmons and the late Andrea Jackson. He is also survived by many other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Anthony's Life Celebration on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 1 p.m. until time of the Memorial Service at 2 p.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD. Interment at a later date.

Erika Erdogan, 60, a resident of Riva, MD for thirty-one years and previously of Baltimore, MD, died on Monday, November 4 at her home due to cancer. Born on December 9, 1958 in Baltimore, MD to the late James and Mildred Rohe, Erika was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church in Edgewater, MD and enjoyed reading, gardening and loved animals. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Simon Erdogan; her daughters, Eugenia Pessagno and her husband, Teddy of Riva and Melissa Erdogan of Silver Spring, MD; her brothers, William, Ludwig and Albert Rohe all of Baltimore and her grandchildren, Simon, Isabelle, Sophia, Gina and Theodore, Pessagno, Jr. 

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 11 am at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 4 Wallace Manor Rd., Edgewater, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Lighthouse Inc., 10 Hudson Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

Condolences may be made by using the Memory Wall link on this page.

Interment with Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 3 p.m. Please meet at the Administration Building with one's own transportation at 2:15 p.m. 

Condolences may be made by using the Memory Wall link on this page.

Regina Margaret Ryan died at the age of 86 years old.
February 2, 1933 — November 1, 2019

Regina died of natural causes peacefully and gracefully at home surrounded by her family.
Current residence for 42 years was Temple Hills, Maryland. Previously lived in Cascade,
Maryland; Heidelberg, Germany; Dayton, Ohio; State College, Pennsylvania; Albany,
Georgia; Nellis AFB - Las Vegas, Nevada; Atwater, California; Littleton, Massachusetts; College
Station,Texas; Misawa, Japan; Biloxi, Mississippi; and Bayonne, New Jersey.

Regina was born and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey. Her parents were Margaret and Linus
Campbell (both Deceased). Her family and close friends would nickname her Gena.
She was christened at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Bayonne and then her family moved
uptown and joined St. Henry’s Catholic Church. Regina went to St. Henry’s Elementary School
and then graduated from Bayonne High School, class of 1950.  After High School, Regina worked at Chase Manhattan until she married. Then when
temporally moving back to Bayonne while waiting for base housing in Japan, she worked for
Maiden Form.

Regina was involved with many community and church organizations including these:

• Active Member of the Air Force Officers’ Wives’ Club for decades all the way up until recent
years.
• Active Member of the Woodberry Garden Club for many years, volunteers who decorate the
Fisher House annually for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter as well as other projects.
• Ran Social Concerns Committee who did outreach to the homeless, people in need and local
nursing homes in the community.
• Involved in Ladies Sodality in parishes where our family lived and served as an officer in
various years. 
• Was one of the first couples selected at St. Phillip’s to facilitate the key program called PreCana (Evening With The Engaged).
• Was chosen as one of the first group of Eucharistic Ministers in St. Phillip’s Catholic Church
and served over the years. 
*Participated in the World Affairs Class held on the Joint Base
Andrews for the last 20 years.

Regina had a true love for music of all kinds. Her hobbies were gardening, decorating, crafts,
and movies especially Turner Classics and AMC. She loved being a homemaker and mother to
5 children, 5 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Survivors:
Regina and her husband, John F. Ryan (Deceased) were married at St Henry’s Catholic Church
on December 27, 1952 and were together for 36 years. Regina became a widow at the age of
56 and lived a very active life right up until her illness.

Survived by her children
Son: Timothy Ryan of Los Angeles, California
Daughters: Patricia Spry of Temple Hills Maryland
Joanne Ryan (Deceased)
Regina Ryan of Brooklyn, New York
Noreen Ryan Norberto of Temple Hills, Maryland

Also Survived by her siblings:
Brothers:Joseph Campbell (Deceased)
Linus Campbell of Fredrick, Maryland
Robert Campbell (Deceased)
Sisters: Winifred McGrath of Bayonne, New Jersey
Ann Kozsalka of New Hyde Park, New York

In addition, Regina is survived by her grandchildren: Daniel Spry, Ann Rackey, Christopher
Spry, Christina Norberto and Jacqueline Norberto.
Great grandchildren: Ciara Rackey, Andrew Rackey, Nicholas Rackey, Darius Spry, Dillon Spry,
Christopher Spry Jr., Timothy Spry, Courtney Spry, Aiden Spry and Brendan Spry.

Great-great-grandchildren Rhylan Hamby and Hailey Hamby, as well as extended family and
large community of friends.

Blanca Gomez-Valle, 32 of Suitland, MD died on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at Mandrin Hospice House in Harwood, MD. Born Wednesday, September 2, 1987, she was the daughter of Jose Gomez and the late Irma Valle Gomez. In addition to her father, Blanca is survived by her loving companion, Wilfredo G. Izaguirre; a son, Joseph Wilfredo Izaguirre Gomez; and seven siblings, Oscar, Eduardo,Eddie, Delmy, Dalia, Seneyda, and Wendy Gomez.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Blanca's life at the Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, November 1 from 6 to 9 pm, with a funeral service beginning at 7 pm. 

Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting the link on this page. 

Ellis Gwendolyn Duley Putnam Waldron, “Gwen”, a 30-year resident of Fairfax, VA passed away on October 30, 2019 at Sunrise of Annapolis Assisted Living Facility, only one day after her 97th birthday.  She was the second of eight children born to the late Helen and Ellis Duley, Sr. of Rosaryville, MD and graduated from high school in Upper Marlboro, MD.  She enjoyed a 30-year career with the Prince George’s County Board of Education and retired in 1979.  
Gwen enjoyed golfing, growing beautiful beds of flowers, reading and, most of all, spending time with her family and friends.  She was also a volunteer at the Inova Fairfax Hospital.  Gwen was a member of Cheltenham United Methodist Church, Providence Presbyterian Church in Fairfax VA and Westwood Country Club in Vienna, VA.
Gwen was preceded in death by her two husbands, Elwood Randolph Putnam and John W. Waldron, and five of her siblings.  She is survived by her son, Terry E. Putnam; her daughter, Phyllis P. (Thomas) Nicholson; one brother, Rodney Duley and one sister, Jacqueline Jones, all of Upper Marlboro, MD.  Gwen is also survived by four grandchildren, Debra McDonald, Kevin Putnam, Thomas Nicholson and Kelly Putnam Benner; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Gwen’s family will receive guests from 9:30 a.m. until her funeral service begins at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 11 at Cheltenham United Methodist Church, 11111 Robert S. Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Cheltenham United Methodist Church at the address listed above.  Online condolences may be offered using the Memory Wall link at the top of this page.


On Tuesday, October 29, 2019; the beloved wife of Willard B. Merritt; daughter of Randolph Lewis and the late Hortense Lewis; mother of William and Anthony Lewis; grandmother of MyAsia Campbell, Markel Lewis, Markese Lewis, Devonte Cole, Daichah Brooks and Deroll Holland. Also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Deborah's Life Celebration on Friday, November , 2019 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the KALAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD. Services and interment private at a later date. 

Nell Weaver Davies, 86, a resident of Riva, MD for 40 years, died on October 28 at Anne Arundel Medical Center of heart failure after a short illness. Born in Washington, DC on January 21, 1933 in old Garfield Hospital to the late Otis and Zella Weaver, Nell graduated from Wilson High School in 1950 and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History in 1954 from The George Washington University. She lived in the District of Columbia, except for brief interludes in Tennessee and Virginia, until she married Peter M. Davies in 1955. She taught for two years at Gallaudet College and later became a commercial artist specializing in fashion advertising. For the next two decades, she worked for the Hecht Company, the Washington Post and a series of businesses and newspapers in Oklahoma and New York. Nell was chairman of the Dutchess County NY Art Association in the 1960's and later she created dioramas in the Greenwich Point Museum and designed Indian Room exhibits at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, CT.  After settling in Riva, she worked for Natalie Silitch Folk Art in Annapolis. In 1995, Nell was sworn in as the first female court bailiff at Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, finally retiring in 2008. She was an enthusiastic sailor and covered from the Maine coast to Lake Ontario to the Florida coast in various boats. She and her husband spent many days exploring the Chesapeake Bay in their cutter, Terrapin. In her spare time, Nell was an accomplished water-color artist. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Peter M. Davies; her son, Mike Davies and his wife, Linda; her grandchildren, Gabrielle and Joshua and her sister, Glenn Eileen Hague of Gainesville, VA. Friends are invited to celebrate Nell's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, November 8 from 12 pm until her funeral service begins at 1 pm. Interment will follow at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD. 

Please take a moment and leave a condolence by using the link on this page.

Mae Licitra, homemaker and banker, dies at 95

Mae Chiantella Licitra, a New York City native who moved to Washington, D.C., after World War II to raise a family and spread her care to a wide arc of extended family, died of multiple health conditions on October 27 at age 95. 

Before marrying Michael C. Licitra in 1954, she had advanced to head teller at a branch of the Chemical Bank in New York City. After coming to Washington and before bringing up her three children, she worked at the Naval Research Laboratory Federal Credit Union.

Mrs. Licitra was born in Long Island City, N.Y., on Jan. 17, 1924, one of five children of Nathan and Caroline Chiantella, who called her “the little mother” as they worked many jobs and ran two businesses through the Great Depression. She graduated from Catholic schools and attended Hunter College before taking a job with Chemical Bank to help support the family. There, she balanced daily ledgers by hand and trained male employees who were fast-tracked in their careers ahead of women.

Moving to Washington after her marriage, Mrs. Licitra navigated what was then a sleepy southern city by learning to drive, learning golf, building a home in suburban Maryland and helping her family achieve success. She saw everything through the lens of family, and took great delight in her 25 nieces and nephews as well as her own children. On becoming an empty-nester, she traveled extensively with her husband around the United States and to Italy. She also volunteered at an arts center, and took part in various clubs and activities. 

After the death of her husband in 2002, Mrs. Licitra moved from the family home in Fort Washington, Md., to Leesburg, Va., and finally to Columbia, Md. 

She is survived by her children, Annette Licitra of Alexandria, Va., Michael Licitra of Chicago, and Robert Licitra and his wife Linda Yokoi of Fulton, Md., two grandchildren, Rachel Stirba Moneypenny and Robert Akiro Licitra, as well as her brother, Nathan Chiantella of Leesburg, Va., her sister, Margaret Silk of Centennial, Colo., and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held at Kalas Funeral Home in Oxon Hill, Md., on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Mary’s of Piscataway in Clinton, Md., at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, with burial to follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Md.  


Obituaries

Tami Smith

Harry Ivey

Bowen Levy

Stephen Kurak

Richard Dickenson

Cecilia Thomas

Mark Hovland

Augusta Oldfield

Dora Mitchell

Virginia Gill

Christiane Disque

Catherine Cammer

Vashti Blanchard

Irene Fields

Anthony Jackson

Erika Erdogan

Charles Mills, USA SSG, (Ret.)

Michael Reamy, Sr.

Regina Ryan

Blanca Gomez-Valle

Ellis Waldron

Deborah Merritt

Nell Davies

Mae Licitra