Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory

Joel Vernick, 98, a resident of Annapolis, MD for five years and formerly of Garrett Park, MD for fifty-five years, died on Sunday, June 19 at the Atria Manresa retirement community in Annapolis.

Born on June 30, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Jack and Anna Vernick, Joel served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he earned a Master’s Degree in social work and began a lengthy career as a child psychologist at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD. Joel also worked in the antique clock field. He repaired clocks for the State Department, the White House and thousands of others.

In addition to his parents, Joel was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Joan D. Vernick.

He is survived by his sons, Kenneth Vernick of Paris, France, Andrew Vernick of Arnold, MD and Lee Vernick of Portland, OR; and his grandchildren, Christopher, Justin, Noah, Meaghan, Gillian, Marina and Paloma.

Interment, with military honors, will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.

Sarah J. Mason was born on August 13, 1922 in Brandy, Virginia to John &amp; Ruth
McGuinn. At an early age Sarah moved to Washington., DC with her family in an
effort to obtain better opportunities. In Washington, Sarah matriculated through
the DC public school system graduating from Cardoza High School in 1940. Sarah
furthered her education by attending the Cortez Peters Business School majoring
in English, bookkeeping, and typing as well as the Department of Agriculture
Graduate School .

Sarah met her loving husband, William Mason while in High School. They were
married 63 years until Mason’s death in 2005.

As a graduate of Cardoza High School, class of 1940, Sarah served as Secretary of
the Alumni Association for many years.

In 1941, Sarah began working for the Federal Government on a War Service
Appointment. Receiving multiple promotions and awards, Sarah retired in 1978
after 41 years of dedicated service. Her last position prior to retirement was as
secretary to the Executive Assistant to the Secretary for Housing and Urban
Development.

Sarah had no children but served as surrogate parent to a multitude of nieces,
nephews, great nieces and great nephews, who loved her and she lovingly
spoiled.

Sarah’s, parents, John &amp; Ruth McGuinn, sisters, Earle Roberson, Edna McGuinn,
Indiabell Brown, Leska Freeman, Janet Rich and brother, John Warner McGuinn
preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister, Helen M. Wilkerson, nieces,
Ruth Brown, Marilyn Fobbs (joseph Sr.), Joan Young, nephews Walter Roberson,
George Brown, Jr., and a host of relatives and friends.


                                             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) <a href"https://www.worldvillages.org/donate/">Online Here</a>  or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation <a href="https://www.alz.org/?form=alz_donate">Online here</a> or Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 <a href="https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now/">Online Here</a> 

Online condolences and memories may be offered online using the Memories link on the left side of this page.


Maurice Bacnat Paraoan, 85, born in Batac, Illocos Norte, Philippines on April 26, 1937 went peacefully to be with our Lord on Thursday, June 16, 2022.  At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his loving family.  

“Manong Maurice,” as he was affectionately known in the Filipino community, was a caring and compassionate husband for 56 years to his wife, Dolores Dingal Paraoan.  Maurice as a young adult left the Philippines and joined the United States Navy on March 26, 1964.  He later gained his U.S. citizenship and dedicated 20 years of military service and retired in Fort Washington, MD.  Known as a hard-worker, Maurice continued another 20-year occupation with the U.S. Postal Service.  

Maurice was a devout Catholic and regularly attended St. Columba Catholic Church in Oxon Hill, MD.  He was a consistent parishioner for over 25 years.  Thanks to his religious foundation, Maurice was proud, sensitive, and honorable in all dealings and relations of life.  

To his family and friends, Maurice was a strong man dedicated to his principles of discipline, kindness, and humility.  He was a provider of encouragement, love, and firmness.  He will forever be remember for his generosity and fighting spirit.  

Preceding him in death are parents, Ambrocio and Marcelina Paraoan; and siblings Pacita P. Agbayani, Romeo Paraoan, Godofredo Parawan, and Raymunda P. Alibin.  
Maurice is survived by his wife, Dolores D. Paraoan; his two sons Jeffrey Paraoan (Erika) and Mark Paraoan (Aurora); his four grandchildren Jevon (Mariela), Jasmin, Precious and Nevaeh Paraoan; his great-grandchild Mayari J. Paraoan; and by his three siblings Dr. Andres Paraoan, Estelita P. Bayangos, and Teodora P. Barte.  

The family invites you to join the celebration of Maurice’s life at his Visitation and Gathering at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD on Saturday, June 25, 2022 from 3 – 7 P.M.


Jim Barthold of Annapolis, MD, died on June 14. He was 77 years old. He leaves behind a son, Jarid Barthold-Robinson, also of Annapolis; a daughter, Kelsey Hott Barthold, of Jersey City, NJ; a brother, Ted Barthold, and sister-in-law, Kim Kirby, of Haddonfield, NJ; and a niece, Christine Haines, of Todd, NC.

Jim had a bachelor’s degree from Penn State in political science and a master’s of fine arts in creative writing from the University of Iowa in 1968, where Kurt Vonnegut was amongst his teachers. He wrote numerous short stories. Writing led him to New York City, where he edited a boating magazine before moving to Annapolis to work on the fledgling Annapolis Sailboat Show for owners Jerry and Kathy Wood, both now deceased.

As general manager of the Annapolis Boat Shows for more than 25 years, Jim helped to grow the sail and powerboat shows. His family has enjoyed looking back on the October 1987 issue of Annapolitan magazine, where he appeared on the cover as the face of the boat shows. His highly logical mind was able to solve complex problems under pressure, such as the logistics of breaking down the docks to free the sailboats and move in the powerboats at breakneck speed.

Jim managed other events as well as the Annapolis sail and powerboat shows, among them boat shows on Kent Island and in Boston and Stamford; the Design for Living Show, a home and garden expo in DC; the Virginia Wine Festival in The Plains; and a wine, arts, and crafts show in Annapolis.

In addition to his talent as a writer, Jim was a gifted photographer. For many years, he catalogued the changes on Dividing Creek in Severna Park, creating hand-mounted photo cards for Christmas. He had an artist’s sensibility, a sensitivity to details that he captured in words and film. He took annual photographs of the evolving boat shows, each year leaning out of the open door of a helicopter for aerial shots.

Jim was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Annapolis, with nearly 40 years of sobriety. Despite not drinking himself, he continued to make rum-soaked fruitcakes and spiked eggnog for family and friends each Christmas, one of his sacred “traditions.”

His favorite tradition was going to Bethany Beach, DE, where he owned a home for many years. Some of his most treasured times with his children were there, biking, swimming, sunbathing, and visiting Rehoboth for dinner. He is remembered for how much he loved his son and daughter and his commitment to spending time with them. A memorial is being planned for later in the year; if you would like to receive details on the memorial when they are finalized, please contact bartholdmemorial@gmail.com.

Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.


	Suddenly on June 13, 2022, Helen Marie Codori nee Bucci departed this life.  As the 88-year-old healthy daughter of a woman who lived to the age of 100, her death has left her family heartbroken and in shock.  The cause of her death remains undetermined at this time.  

	Helen Marie Bucci was born at the Old Providence Hospital in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 1934, the second child and only daughter of Edward Joseph Bucci, Sr, and his wife, Cecilia Nancy Presutti.  Although both of her parents were born in Washington, D.C., all of her grandparents and most of her aunts and uncles were born in Sulmona, L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy before the family emigrated in March 1902 and settled in the D.C. area where farmland was still available.  In the Italian tradition, Helen’s father became a tile setter and was one of the craftsmen who built La Reine High School in Suitland, MD in the late 1950's, the school from which all of Helen’s daughters graduated.  Until her retirement, Helen’s mother was a sales associate at S. Kann, Sons & Co., once Washington’s second largest department store.  

	Although she had the elegance and demeanor of a refined lady, according to most accounts of her childhood, Helen was a tomboy who played baseball with her two brothers and her father, who was the Manager of the Silver Hill Sand and Gravel baseball team, part of the Washington Baseball Club.  She lived on Hagan Rd. in Temple Hills, MD for most of her youth and attended Oxon Hill Elementary and High School, from which she graduated in 1952.  She was a girl of many talents and boundless energy and put them to good use in the school’s choral group, theater troupe, basketball team, girl scouts and cheerleading squad.  In her senior year, she was elected by fellow students to be the Queen of the Prom. 

	After graduating, Helen worked briefly as a sales clerk at Lansburgh’s Department Store in Washington, D.C., and later as a secretary with the U.S. Census Bureau.  Her social life as a young adult took her to the Airmen’s Club at Andrew’s Air Force Base for their occasional dances.  At one of those, she met her future husband and love of her life, a handsome city boy from Philadelphia.  On April 20, 1954, they were married at the historic Saint Ignatius Roman Catholic Church in Oxon Hill, MD, where she had made her first holy communion and confirmation.  She gave up the Census Bureau job and, for the next many years, Helen was extraordinarily busy as mother to the five daughters who blessed their marriage.  

	Helen was an incredibly devoted and loving mother.  She went to every spelling bee, Boys and Girls Club softball game, cheerleading try-out, basketball game, swim meet, theatrical performance, graduation and awards ceremony.  If swim practice meant getting up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday, she did it without complaint.  As a lane timer at swim meets for the Marlton Swim Team, she somehow managed to time her lane while simultaneously jumping up and down when one of her daughters won the race in the adjacent lane.  She rejoiced in every success, soothed every disappointment and never criticized.  She made her children feel loved and accepted.  

	In the 1960's, she stumbled upon the concept of selling Avon Products on a very part-time basis and so began an enterprise that she nurtured until her retirement in 1996.  Once the children had left the nest, Helen’s boss invited her to enter management training.  Shortly thereafter, she became a district sales manager for Avon Products, which made her responsible for the mentoring of hundreds of sales associates.  She won countless awards for her productivity, earning trips all over the U.S., including two trips to Hawaii, and international trips to Vienna and Budapest.  She was gentle and personable on the outside yet quietly competitive and determined, which made for a highly successful career after motherhood and earned her a group of colleagues and friends whom she cherished for the rest of her life.  

	Helen engaged in recreational pursuits with the same boundless energy that characterized her entire life.  When her children were young, she sewed clothes for them and for herself, and her house was full of needle-work pillows and framed embroidery.  She loved to bake, and her children’s lunch bags usually contained a slice of home-made cake.  What innocently began as her annual batch of home-made Christmas fudge morphed into a spread of 15 different kinds of cookies and bars, arrayed as little mountains of large and small metal Christmas tins.  Her children had their favorites, so she lightheartedly policed who was taking what, to make sure that all got a fair share.  If Christmas can be considered a hobby, it was definitely Helen’s favorite.  She embraced the celebration of the Holy Day and holiday with great enthusiasm.  The Christmas season found Helen climbing ladders to hang the outside garland and lights, and decorating the interior with Santa’s, angels, nutcrackers, lighted trees, candles, ivy, berries and red bows. Every window was lit by traditional 5-light amber candles.  However, she took the most joy in giving gifts to her family, which she did through her last Christmas in 2021.  She made the Yule magic.

	Helen was blessed with two grandsons and graced them with the same unconditional love that she offered her children.  It showed in the way her grandsons lit up in her presence, how they fought over who got to sit next to Nana at dinner and how they ran into her arms after long separations.  They brought joy to one another.  Helen babysat, helped with potty-training, enjoyed playing board games, and attended birthday parties, Grandparents’ Days, bowling and mini-golf outings, Irish dance competitions, and graduations (either in person or via Zoom). She was their biggest cheerleader and was very proud of the young men they have become. Though she hated getting her hair wet, she even did that for her grandsons during the annual family vacations to Sea Isle City, NJ.   

	Helen was generous to a fault, kind, gentle and flexible, yet she had a will of iron and strength that was easy to overlook in someone of her disposition.  She was a woman of faith and a member of Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church in Rosaryville, MD for 54 years.  Throughout her life, family came first.  She never missed the Sunday spaghetti dinners with the entire Bucci clan, the crab feasts with her brothers’ families, and the pre-Thanksgiving pie-baking parties where she taught everyone how to make the perfect pie crust.  She loved family vacations at Ocean City, MD, Bethany Beach, DE, and Sea Isle City, NJ.  Helen had a lovely singing voice, which she used not only for sing alongs but also to gently awaken her sleeping children in time for school.  She loved the crooners, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett and could remember all the words to the songs of her youth.  To the end, she was vital and physically spry.  She kept up with current events, was computer savvy and was on her Facebook account daily; she knew the latest news about the family before her daughters.  For the last two years of her life, Helen was the loving, full-time care-giver for her husband, Laurence, who had advanced Parkinson’s Disease.  She had her eye on living to the age of 100, and her family believed that she was a strong contender in that race.  

	Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 68 years, Laurence Murray Codori, Jr., her loving children and their spouses Ann Marie Codori (George H. Fisk), Nancy Codori (Richard E. Boardman), Margaret Codori, Michele Codori (Susan L. Spence), all of Baltimore, and Jeanne Marie Codori-Hurff (Christopher Hurff) of Winchester, MA, her cherished grandsons, Evan Codori Boardman and Aidan Laurence Hurff.  She is also survived by her dear brothers and their spouses Edward Joseph Bucci, Jr. (Maryanna nee Moyer), James Joseph Bucci (Mary Lu nee Brookbank), and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.  

	Helen’s family invites relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues to her Visitation / Christian Wake Service on Wednesday, June 22nd, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 23rd, at 12:00 Noon at Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 9961 Rosaryville Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 with interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Rd, Clinton, MD 20735.  Memorial contributions may be made to The Helen Bucci Codori Endowed Scholarship at the Bishop McNamara High School: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/16625/donations/new (Choose “Scholarship Designation”).

Colleen C. Cochran
July 2, 1945 – June 12, 2022

Colleen passed away at her home in Ocean City at the age of 76.

She was born on July 2, 1945, to Robert and Beverly Collins and grew up in DC.  This is also where she met the love of her life, Alfred (Al) Cochran.  Her man in blue.  They were married in 1962, and shortly thereafter they moved to Maryland, where they raised their family.  They did this alongside their best friends the Haines'.  Charlie Haines was Al's brother in blue and Bonnie and Colleen were their devoted wives.  Our families have been intertwined ever since.

Colleen always put her family first – making every occasion perfect.  She was a beautiful soul who touched so many lives and hearts through her kindness, cards, phone calls, time, and baking.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband (Al).  She is survived by her two children Rob (Michelle) and Cindy (Mike); her five grandchildren Kyle, Kevin, Amanda, Jessica, and Mikey; her two great grandsons Liam and Landon; her sister Roberta (Bobbi) Armstrong; all her nieces and nephews; and her best friend Bonnie Haines (and family).

Our hearts are broken, but hers is once again whole as she watches over us all hand and hand with our father.

Friends and family are invited to Colleen's Life Celebration at George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Wednesday, June 22nd from 4 - 6 PM.  The funeral service will follow immediately afterwards.  The interment at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville will be held privately on Thursday.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HEROES, Inc., 1200 29th St., N.W., Washington DC 20007.  


Patricia “Patty” Gunde Poole, age 63 and a 30 year resident of Annapolis, died in Annapolis on June 10, 2022.  Born in Washington, DC on December 20, 1958 to the late Joseph and Helen Gunde, she was a 1976 graduate of La Reine High School in Suitland.  She worked her entire career for the U.S. Courts, starting off as a secretary and eventually moving up to running the data center for the courts, retiring in 2014.  In her spare time, she loved gardening, crafting, outdoor adventures, puzzles and history of all kinds.
In addition to her parents, Patty was preceded in death by her husband, Gary S. Poole, and a brother, Francis Gunde.  She is survived by her children; Rachael (Daniel) Faulkner of Annapolis, Lauren Poole of Philadelphia and Jack Poole of Annapolis; her grandchildren, Dorothy and Henry Faulkner; and her brother, Joseph (Peggy) Gunde of Davidsonville.
Family and friends are invited to Patty’s life celebration on Thursday, June 16 from 5-8 PM at Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, June 17 at 1 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Avenue, Davidsonville.  Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Flowers are welcome, as are contributions to Wreaths Across America, https://donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org/


Patricia Irene Lowe, born December 2, 1930 in Washington, DC to Joseph and Irene Hulse, passed away on June 9, 2022 at her home in Harwood, MD with her family by her side.  Patricia was fond of gardening, going on cruises, walking and enjoying life.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Vincent Lowe; a brother, Richard Hulse; and grandchildren Elizabeth and Steven Marshall.  She is survived by her son, Michael; her daughter, Mary (Robbie); seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great great grandchild, two nieces, a nephew and a cousin, Charlotte Ann.  
Relatives and friends are invited to Patricia’s life celebration on Wednesday, June 15 from 5-7 PM at Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater.  A graveside service will be held on Thursday, June 16 at 1 PM at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD.  


On June 9, 2022 Jean Marie Beahm, age 79 of Lothian passed away peacefully at her home with her loving family by her side.  
Jean was a lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County and graduated from Severna Park High School in 1961.  She worked for NSA and the Social Security Administration.  She married Bill Beahm in 1967 and together they created a beautiful life with their two daughters. Jean was most proud of staying at home and taking care of her family.  She also was an integral part of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s lives on a daily basis.  
She will be remembered for her kind and loving heart, her spirit of giving and taking care of others but most of all her laughter and ability to make everyone she met feel loved.  
Jean is predeceased by her loving husband of 46 years, Bill Beahm, as well as her parents John and Mildred Olsen and two sisters, Patricia Higham and Kathleen Walters.  She is survived by her  daughters and their husbands, Sheree and Richard Dempsey and Karen and Mike Murphy as well as her grandchildren Bryan Dempsey (Breanna), Brooke Vasquez (Pedro), Katelyn Murphy, Brittnie Dempsey, Benjamin Murphy and Austin Murphy as well as five great-grandchildren, Baylee, Aubrey, Laila, Ava and Brayden Dempsey all of Lothian. In addition she is survived by her brothers John Olsen of Cooper City, FL,  Richard Olsen of Severna Park and  her sister Carolyn Clark of Pasadena as well as many nieces and nephews. 
Family and friends are invited to Jean’s Celebration of Life on June 17th at Kalas Funeral Home at 2973 Solomon’s Island Road in Edgewater MD 21037.  The family will receive visitors from 10:00 am until 12:00 p.m. with the Celebration of Life Service immediately following at noon.   Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jean’s honor to Hospice of the Chesapeake. 
Online condolences may be offered using the Memories link on the left side of this page. 


John Roy McCully, best known as “Roy” was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend during his well-lived 92 years of life. He passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Roy was born December 12, 1929, in Washington, DC to father Hugh and mother Nancy McCully. 

Roy served his country in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserves until his retirement as a Chief Master Sergeant. He then moved on to a career working for Pepco where he met his lovely wife, Barbara Mae Norfolk. They married in 1957 and began their family.  

In 1968, Roy found his true passion. He began M&M Fleet Maintenance Service Inc. with his business partner and friend Jim McGill. Together they successfully built a business repairing and maintaining the Prince George County Fire Department’s emergency vehicles and apparatus.  After 36 years he retired from the business to continue traveling the country alongside Barbara in their RV. He was always happiest spending time with an array of tractors, trucks, ATVs, and vehicles affectionally known as “Roy’s Toys”.  Roy had a strong faith in God. He led a charitable life and was always there to help a friend in need. Roy’s active lifestyle epitomizes the phrase, “Work hard, play hard”.

In addition to his parents and wife, Roy was preceded in death by his siblings, Hugh, George Joseph, and Mary.

He is survived by his daughter Leslie Edinberg (David), his granddaughters Kelly Rose and Kate Lutz (Michael), and two great-grandsons Owen and Jack Lutz.

Friends are invited to celebrate John’s life on Monday, June 13 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, June 14 at 11 am in Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 West Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD 21035. Interment Lakemont Memorial Gardens in Davidsonville, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122.

Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.

Thomas E. Hurd, 82, passed away in Annapolis, MD on June 8, 2022 due to complications associated with a stroke. Born on September 24, 1939 in Springfield, VT to the late Edmund and Mary Hurd, Tom graduated from Springfield High School and the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy. He served in Vietnam and subsequent marine service whereby he navigated vessels throughout the world. After leaving the Merchant Marines, he was a pilot for the Portland, ME harbor, a Marine Accident Investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board and worked at the Military Sealift Command. Tom was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis, where he was Chairman of the Respect Life Committee and participated in Eucharistic Adoration. Tom was also a proud 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1384. Tom’s passion was his Catholic faith and endless efforts to promote the Right to Life Movement. He is survived by his wife, Michelina “Mykie” Buteau Hurd, whom he married on August 16, 1975; his siblings, James Hurd of Homer, AK, John Hurd of Fort Wayne, IN, Paul Hurd of Cape May, NJ and Ann Spurrier of Denver, CO and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends are invited to celebrate Tom’s life on Sunday, June 12 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday at 10:30 am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 620 N. Bestgate Rd., Annapolis, MD. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Springfield, VT at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 109 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, MD 21401. Condolences may be made online by visiting the <a href="https://kalasfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Thomas-Hurd-8785/memories">memory link</a> on this page.

Col Donald Herman Retzlaff, USA (Ret.)

Don was born on March 29, 1934 in Casco, WI to Clifford and Myrtle (Englebert) Retzlaff. He received his biology degree from St. Norbert’s College in Green Bay in 1956, and he was commissioned into the US Army Medical Service Corps upon graduation. He entered active duty in the Medical Service Corp and attended the US Army Aviation School.  On August 24, 1955, he married Lorraine Marie Jacobs. They raised three sons, Kelly, Scott and Steve, and one daughter, Janine.

Don spent 23 years in the US Army as a Medical Service Corp aviator.  He did a tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam.  During his service in Vietnam he was the first aviator to do a hoist mission lifting a wounded soldier from the jungle.  In addition to his tours, he was the Aviation Staff Officer in the Surgeon General’s office in the Pentagon and a Battalion Commander at Ft. Meade MD.  He retired from the Army in 1980.  During his time in the Army, Don received numerous awards to include the following:  the Master Aviator’s Badge, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Army Commendation Medal and 20 Air Medals.

After retiring, Don spent his spare time pursuing many hobbies.  He restored numerous vintage cars, antique tractors, antique player pianos and vintage clocks.  He also built the family cabin in West Virginia as an adjustment from military life to civilian life.  Each year for the past 15 years, Don spent several months making beautiful games crafted of different woods for his grandchildren and friends.  He was also a faithful volunteer for their church, Most Holy Rosary, doing handyman jobs.  His ‘never bored motto’ was “Accomplish something, no matter how small, each and every day”.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Lorraine, and his three sons, Kelly of Pittsburgh, PA, Scott and his wife Donna of Hughesville, MD, and Steve and his wife Amy of Strasburg, VA.  Don has four grandchildren; Shelby (Richard) Harrington, Cliff Retzlaff, Brenden Retzlaff and Devin Retzlaff.  In addition to his four grandchildren, Don has one great grandchild, Kaelyn Harrington and one step-great grandchild, Christopher Harrington.  Don was preceded in death by his father, Cliff, his mother, Myrtle, his daughter Janine, and his grandson Cliff. He is also survived by his sister Diane Carroll of San Francisco, CA, Merlin (Bonnie) Retzlaff of Green Bay, WI, several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to Col. Retzlaff's Life Celebration on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 10 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. at Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church - St. Joseph Center, 11700 Duley Station Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Interment with Military Honors at a later date at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. 

Memorial Contributions can also be made to <a href="https://www.stjude.org/donate/pm.html?frequency_selected=3&sc_icid=impactgiving-memorial-bttn">St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital</a>
 or <a href="https://springdellcenter.org/">Spring Dell Center, Inc.</a>


Donna Helen (McAfee) Provost, 76, died peacefully, surrounded by family, on June 7, 2022 after battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years. Donna was born in Seat Pleasant, MD to the late Donald and Dorothy (Oliver) McAfee. Donna was preceded in death by her loving husband, David Edward Provost, and her brothers Donald and Douglas McAfee.  Donna is survived by her five children: Daniel Provost, Patrick (Elizabeth) Provost, Laura (Jacqueline) Provost, Michael Provost and Bethany (Ellis) Tinsley; grandchildren: Mark Shelley, Adam Provost, Abigail (Austin) Verschel, Emma Provost, Ellis Tinsley IV, and Braden Tinsley; and brother, David (Sheryl) McAfee. Donna graduated from Annapolis High School in 1963. She dedicated her life to her husband, children and grandchildren. She met her husband, David, while working as an administrative assistant at NASA. She supported him tirelessly as he traveled the world building satellite stations and robots for Goddard Space Flight Center and even travelled with him to New Zealand and Japan. Donna was kind, loving and loyal to all those lucky enough to know her. She took college courses to become a tax preparer and worked for H &R Block, later volunteering at the senior center to provide tax services for the elderly.  Donna volunteered at her children’s schools and never missed a sporting event, field trip, or musical performance. Donna found joy spending time with her children and could be found fishing, swimming, sledding, and hiking right along side them. Donna found true and lasting love with her husband, Dave. They shared a love of the water, sailing and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and spending time by the ocean in Bethany Beach, DE and Plymouth, MA. Donna adored her grandchildren and as one of them said, “she lost her memory, but one thing she never forgot was that she loved us”. The family will receive visitors at a memorial gathering at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on June 21 from 2 to 4 pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/maryland. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. Sandra Collins' Life Celebration on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, June 16 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Columba Catholic Church, 7800 Livingston Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Interment immediately following the service at St. Ignatius Catholic Church Cemetery,  2315 Brinkley Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim and daughter in law, Cindy.  She is survived by her two sons, James Collins, Jr. (Tracy), Danny Collins (Melinda) and daughter Katie Mills (Tony), as well as five grandchildren, DJ, Michael, Shelby, Madelin and Patrick.  She is also survived by her sister, Roselyn Bradford and a niece (Melissa) and nephew (Tyler), as well as a host of family in her beloved South Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Whispering Pines Assisted Living in memory of Sandy Collins to honor the excellent care she received.  Please make checks payable to Susan Saunders (Administrator) @ 200 Leaksville Road, Luray, VA 22835.



Briannon “Brie” Michelle Smith, 39, of Arnold, MD passed away on June 6, 2022 in Annapolis, MD. Born September 5, 1982 in Silver Spring, MD to Brian and Dannette Smith, she attended Broadneck High School, and continued her studies at Anne Arundel Community College. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Daniel Ricker, Eileen Smith, and Joseph Smith. In addition to her parents, Briannon is survived by her children, Ali Braden Akgul and Brooke Rabia Akgul of Bealeton, VA, and Hailey Elizabeth Banwell and Hannah Aysegul Yalman of Arnold, MD; brothers Brian (Kim) Smith of Stevensville, MD and Daniel Smith of Tampa, FL; sister Courtney (Nicholas) Sames of Edgewater, MD; grandmother Gail Ricker; and nieces Jordyn and Kailyn Beath. Friends are invited to celebrate Briannon’s life on Tuesday, June 14 from 5 to 8 pm at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD where her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 15 at 11 am. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, Post Office Box 2407, James A Farley Station, New York, NY 10116. Online condolences may be made by visiting the Memories link on this page.

Clare Loyd Davison, 77, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022 at the Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Care Center in Pasadena, MD after a brief battle with cancer. 

Clare was born Mary Clare Loyd in Lynchburg, Virginia to Sidney and Mary Clare B. Loyd. Growing up with her younger brother Richard Loyd, she enjoyed traveling with family, writing stories, playing endlessly with neighbors, and summers on the Mattaponi River and at camp in West Virginia. After graduating from high school in Lynchburg, Clare then went on to attend and graduate from St. Mary's Junior College and Sweet Briar College. Post college, Clare worked as an editor, a social worker, and eventually followed her love of English and taught at Fleet Business School in Annapolis, and, in later years, taught classes through Anne Arundel Community College. She was a long time member of the Junior League of Annapolis, and served for many years in various volunteer roles. Clare married her beloved husband James L. Davison, “Jimmie”, in the summer of 1970 after a whirlwind romance sparked by a blind date. 

Clare was an avid fan of grammar correction; correcting nurses' grammar even into her last days. She also loved her life with Jim in Annapolis, their home of 50 years, where she enjoyed sailing, socializing with friends, bird watching, lighthouses, traveling, and neighborhood walks. Clare also greatly enjoyed cooking interesting new recipes, as well as gardening, and she was a longtime member of the neighborhood Garden Club. Clare treasured spending time with her eight grandchildren, whether it was spent reading to them, baking together, helping with homeschooling, going on field trips, celebrating birthdays, recitals, and awards, or just snuggling and giving great hugs. She loved traveling with Jim to new and familiar places alike, including Bethany Beach, Nova Scotia Canada, Jamestown Rhode Island, Castine Maine, and upstate New York. Clare was a big advocate of lifelong learning, and, as such, would read the local newspaper front cover to back daily, and found great joy in sudoku puzzles, crossword puzzles, and answering most questions correctly on Jeopardy every night. 

Clare is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, James L. “Jim” or “Jimmie” Davison of Annapolis, and her two daughters Laura Joyce and her husband Phillip Joyce of Chapel Hill, NC, and Liza Higdon and her husband TJ Higdon of Edgewater, MD. Clare has eight adoring grandchildren; Isabelle, Julia, Phoebe, Luke, and Hannah of Chapel Hill, and James, Emma, and Magnolia of Edgewater. She is also survived by her younger brother whom she cherished, Richard B. Loyd (& wife Betty Loyd) of Mechanicsville, VA.

A graveside service will be held at the Maryland Veteran’s Cemetery, 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 10:45 am.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the <a href="https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1865/bp18/interior.aspx?sid=1865&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063&dids=1&bledit=1">Sweet Briar Fund</a> or to the <a href="https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=google_giving&s_subsrc=giving&gclid=CjwKCAjwkYGVBhArEiwA4sZLuC1oYubhqGli3pAf493g5nYLeHdfQFsHfZTP2WZPwIXuzRDAGmgBTRoCIvYQAvD_BwE">Alzheimer’s Association</a>. 

Please leave a condolence for the family by signing the guestbook at the <a href="https://kalasfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Clare-Davison-8780/memories">Memories</a> tab located on this page.

Please check back for full obituary.

Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.

Ann Hutton Morrison formerly of Seaford, Virginia and currently of Davidsonville, Maryland passed away peacefully on June, 5th 2022 surrounded by her loved ones.  Ann was born on January 6, 1941 to James and Maxine Hutton of Hampton Virginia.  She was a 1959 graduate of Hampton High School.  Several years later she attended Dixie Hospital School of Nursing and graduated with her nursing degree.  This was the obvious career path for her as she was an extremely nurturing and kind hearted person and devoted her entire life to taking care of others.  She was very proud to be a nurse.  Love, compassion and caring are the words that best describe Ann as she was truly an angel placed on earth.  She was predeceased by her loving parents,  James and Maxine Hutton (VonBergen) as well as her brother James L. Hutton Jr.  Ann leaves to carry on her memory her husband Dr. J.D. Morrison, her daughter Debra Boyden (Doug) of Naples, Florida, grandson Jeffrey Kearney of Roanoke,  Virginia as well as two step daughters Sara Pickens (Rod) of Davidsonville, Maryland, Susan Little (Garrett) of Tarpon Springs, Florida as well as nine step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.  Her family would like to express our deepest appreciation for the outpouring of love and support from family and friends both near and far. There will be a private celebration of her life in Maryland at a later date.  Her family is asking that anyone who wishes to honor her memory, make a donation to the <a href="https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/other_ways_to_give">Alzheimer's Association</a> in her name. 

Online condolences may be made using the Memories tab on this page.

Frank J. Mammano, 84, passed away peacefully at his home in Forestville, MD on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Born on April 27, 1938 in Washington, DC to the late Rose and Joseph Mammano, Frank graduated from Holy Name Elementary School and from Gonzaga High School in 1956. After graduation he enlisted in the Army Reserves, where he served a total of 8 years. Frank earned a Bachelors of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Catholic University and after graduating in 1960, he married the love of his life, Judy Rohan.  Judy and Frank resided in Forestville, MD, where they raised their eight children.  While raising his family, Frank also earned a Master of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Catholic University in 1969. He retired from the Federal Highway Administration in 1996. During his career working in the Research and Development for FHA, he was part of a team of engineers that received a patent for the subcarrier communication system. Frank was an active parishioner at Mt. Calvary Catholic Church and School for many years. He served as Athletic Director, ran spaghetti dinners with many Mt. Calvary families, parish councilman, lecturer and Eucharist minister, to name a few. He could always be seen up on the altar helping. Frank truly loved doing whatever needed to be done at Mt. Calvary. Frank had a passion for sports and believed kids should have access to a well run athletic program.  You could find Frank coaching his sons and grandchildren in baseball, officiating WCAC football games or golfing with his friends.  He became more involved at Bishop McNamara High School, after Judy passed away. Frank took up coaching the Bishop McNamara’s Girls Softball Team with his daughter, Angelina, for ten years. He was the #1 fan for the men’s and women’s basketball programs. He had his own parking space, provided by the booster club, and his own chair (with the tennis balls on the bottom) in the gym. The chair was strategically placed for Frank to high five each player as they exited and returned to the locker room. He was also known to give a little advice as well.  All coaches, athletic trainers, players, and even the spectators were supplied with fruit snacks and Rice Krispie treats. If his clothing did not have the BMHS logo on it, he didn’t wear it. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Judy; his sons, Michael and Anthony Mammano; his parents, Joseph and Rose Mammano; his father and mother in law, Arthur and Mary Rohan; his brothers in law, Larry and Charles Rohan and his sister in law, Roseann Rohan He is survived by his children, Rose (Jeff) Ayres, Angelina (Charles) Diehlmann, Joseph (Beth), Vincent (Nancy), Frank (Laura) and Nicholas (Cindy) Mammano; his daughter in law, Sandra Mammano; his sister, Frances (Leo) McConnell; his grandchildren: Brian (Rachel), Lisa Ayres, Stephanie (Kevin) McKeown, Mark (Mary) Ayres, Anthony, Jeremy, Ryan Diehlmann, Michael (Tiffany) Mammano, Marie (Cody) Wylie, Gabriella, Joseph, Isabelle and Lucas Mammano, Victoria (Chris) Salzano, Celena (Tim) Wineand, Anthony, Jr., Frank (Sarah), Dominic, Sydney, Sophia, Giovanni, Jared and Samantha Mammano; his four great grandchildren, Lucy, Henry, Chloe, William; his brothers in law, Lex (Kathy), James (Cece), John (Mary), Franny and Tom (Jeryl) and his sisters in law, JoAnna and Marilyn. Friends are invited to celebrate Frank’s life on Monday, June 13 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at Mt. Calvary Catholic Church, 6700 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD where Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, June 14 at 11:30 am. Interment will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, MD. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Michael Mammano and/or Tony Mammano Scholarship Fund at Bishop McNamara High School, 6800 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD 20747, ATTN: Michael and/or Tony Mammano Fund. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.



Lois Katherine Groves Fitzhugh, daughter of the late Gilbert and Maggie Groves, was born on April 18, 1932 in Rappahannock County, Virginia.  Being the tenth of ten children, Lois was the baby of the family.  She attended a one-room school house in Flint Hill, Virginia where she had to walk 3 ½ miles each way.  After finishing high school in Culpepper, Virginia, Lois completed nursing school in Washington, D.C., then started a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse.

When she first arrived in Washington, D.C. Lois lived with her sister Ann and brother-in-law Ervin.  Set up on a blind date by her sister Marguerite’s (Sis) husband Eddie, Lois met Creede Fitzhugh.  Lois and Creede married on August 23, 1958.  From this union, two daughters, Nedra Rene and Marlene Alicia were born.  In the mid 1960s, the family moved from Southeast Washington, D.C. to the Sunset Hills neighborhood in Seat Pleasant, Maryland.  In 1977 the family moved to the Enterprise Estates neighborhood in Mitchellville, Maryland.

During most of her nursing career, Lois worked for the District of Columbia Government where she provided care to individuals at their homes.  She last worked at Sharpe Health School on 13th Street, Northwest, caring for and supporting special needs students. She retired in 1987 at the golden age of 55.

Not only was Lois a compassionate nurse, she was a tremendous wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  Some of her strongest traits were loving, caring, comforting and teaching, and she spent most of her time at home with her family demonstrating those traits.  

Not one to sit still, Lois always kept busy and she enjoyed a range of activities like arts and crafts, home improvement projects, gardening, puzzles, reading and baking, and she was good at them all.  Her homemade pound cake and chicken pot pie were family favorites.  But she especially liked to sew, and was a talented seamstress.  She made custom draperies, furniture slip covers, suits for Creede, and all sorts of clothes for her family and anyone else.  Lois even made an elegant wedding dress for her niece, and bridesmaids dresses.  She made “go-go” dance outfits for Nedra and her friends when they performed at the school talent show.  The outfits were such a big hit that she received requests from neighborhood girls to make some for them.  When Marlene was five, Lois made a squirrel costume for her.  Lois made “California Raisins” costumes for her three young grandsons.  No matter what the project or task, Lois was always prepared.  If you needed something, Lois could make it.  If something was broken, Lois could fix it.  At least it seemed that way.

The Fitzhugh home was often a gathering place for family, friends and fun.  Lois and Creede together were just good people, and they were so inviting.  For generations Lois was not only loving toward her own family, but she also extended that same warmth to those around her.  She was especially thoughtful of the neighborhood school kids, looking out for them at the bus stop, letting them wait inside her garage on rainy days, and shooing dogs away.  She patched up scrapes, cuts and bruises.  She was a daycare provider to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their friends.  Over the years she was thought of so affectionately that even as adults, many of these same friends continued to visit her, and often asked of her wellbeing.

Lois was a twenty-eight-year breast cancer survivor.

Lois departed this life on June 4, 2022.  She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters, Nedra and Marlene (Steve); siblings: Pearl and Coolidge (Barbara); half-siblings: Gilbert, George, Mitchell, Virginia and Alice; grandchildren: Richard Jr. (Shakita), Keith, Raymond (Jessica) and Marcellis; great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by husband, Creede; siblings: Jenny, Jack, John, Charlie, William (“Bill”), Marguerite (“Sis”) and Ann; step-mother Josephine; half-siblings: Lily, James and Westley.


Relatives and friends are invited to Mrs. Fitzhugh's Memorial Gathering on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland. Inurnment Maryland Veteran's Cemetery - Cheltenham,  11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD, 20623. The family welcomes visitation as a time to reflect and celebrate during this gathering, however there will be no planned ceremony and no repast.



Services for Jean are currently being scheduled. Please leave a condolence for her family by using the memories tab on the left.



Amelia Flaim (88) passed on June 2, 2022, at her home after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was proceeded in death, by her husband of 63 years Luigi. Amelia is survived by her four children, Remigio, Rita, Graziella, Anna (Danny-spouse) and 3 grandchildren (Olivia, Jessica, and Nicholas).  She was proceeded in death by her sister, Silvia Torresani and her parents Davide and Carmela. 

Amelia was born January 4, 1934, in the small mountain town of Tregiovo, Italy. There is where she began her life, first as a dairy farmer and caretaker for her father, and eventually a wife to Luigi, a mother and homemaker. Amelia and her family moved to America in 1971. Here is where she spent the rest of her life, continuing to be a homemaker, wife and mother.  

Her love of crocheting and knitting allowed her to make a lot of sweater vests for her husband to wear to work, as well as outfit everyone’s beds with afghan blankets. She loved talking to friends and family on the telephone and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Before getting cancer, she loved going shopping and out to eat with her daughters on the weekend. She was a dedicated attender of Sunday mass at St. John’s the Evangelist Church, and still received weekly communion in her home prior to her death.  She also had a passion for growing flowers and vegetables. She loved to make tomato salads, cooked green beans and stuffed peppers in the summer and always had lots of flowers in the front and side of her house. Her favorite flowers were carnations and roses. She had a real fondness for cats and could always be found with cats either in her lap or around her legs.  They were her babies. Ciao Mamma! Ci vediamo in paradiso. Salute Papa!

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity/ animal shelter of your choice in her name or plant some flowers in your yard.

Online condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 9th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, Maryland. A funeral mass will be held on June 10th at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist, 8908 Old Branch Ave, Clinton, Maryland with interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Rd, Clinton, Maryland.

Obituaries

Joel Vernick

Sarah Mason

Veronica Shourds

Maurice Paraoan

James Barthold

Helen Codori

Colleen Cochran

Patricia Poole

Patricia Lowe

Jean Beahm

Joseph Smithson, Sr.

John McCully

Thomas Hurd

Col. Donald Retzlaff, USA(Ret.)

Donna Provost

Sandra Collins

Briannon Smith

Clare Davison

Linferd McGrane, Jr.

Ann Morrison

Frank Mammano

Lois Fitzhugh

Jean Bennett

Amelia Flaim