Obituaries from Gazette.net, May 2002: Montgomery Co., MD Permission has generously been granted by Gazette.net to include these obituaries in the MDGenWeb Archives. This publication is available on-line at http://www.gazette.net. *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** *****May 1, 2002***** Meta Annette (Sudbrock) Sinopoli Meta Annette (Sudbrock) Sinopoli, 76, of Derwood, died April 26, 2002, at her home. Born Sept. 4, 1925, in Independence, Mo., she earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry (minor in math) from the University of Missouri, Columbia (1947). She was a homemaker and had worked as a chemist at Standard Oil of Indiana. She was affiliated with Gaithersburg Meals on Wheels for 14 years, a member of Mill Creek Parish United Methodist Church, a volunteer math tutor at Magruder High School, an avid gardener, stamp and coin collector and diarist. A devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, she was a model community member. Mrs. Sinopoli was awarded Junior Women's Club Woman of the Year (Indiana). She is survived by her husband, Clifford Sinopoli; a son, Cliff, and daughter- in-law, Karen Sinopoli of Willow Street, Pa.; three grandchildren, two daughters, Sarah, and her husband, Paul Stokely, of Mt. Airy, and Roberta and her husband, Randy Runkles; and five grandchildren, Billy, Melissa and Joey Sinopoli og Willow Street, Pa., and Alex and John Runkles of Harpers Ferry, W. Va. Funeral services were held April 30 at Mill Creek Parish United Methodist Church, Rockville. Burial private. Donations may be made to Mill Creek Parish Building Fund, 7101 Horizon Terrace, Rockville, Md., 20855-1355. Funeral arrangements by DeVol, Gaithersburg. *****May 8, 2002***** Helen C. Rabbitt-Gooding Helen Christine Rabbitt-Gooding, 92, of Rockville died May 3. Born June 11, 1909, in Aspen Hill, she was the wife of the late Earl L. Gooding. Mrs. Rabbitt-Gooding worked as a school cafeteria manager for the Montgomery County Public School System. Survivors include two sons, E. Lee Gooding and his wife Barbara, and Jerry E. Gooding and his wife Barbara; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held today at 1 p.m. at Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home, 300 West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville. Burial will be at Rockville Union Cemetery. Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home handled the arrangements. John Meola John Meola, 88, of Gaithersburg died May 1. He was a commercial artist and a member of the Olney Art Association and Rockville Art League. Mr. Meola graduated in 1934 from Pratt Institute, where he studied pictorial illustration under Ogden Pleisner, John Aylward and John Scott. He worked as a freelance advertising and magazine illustrator for New York City studios and publishers for 45 years. He was a member of the Society of Illustrators. Special projects included a portrait of Theodore Roosevelt that appeared on a 1976 Time Magazine cover. Mr. Meola and his wife, Adele, lived in Great Neck, N.Y. He moved to Gaithersburg 12 years ago. He was preceded in death by his wife. Mr. Meola is survived by four daughters, Virginia, Lucille, Anne and Frances; 14 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Fern D. Ward Fern D. Ward, 87, of Derwood, died March 29 at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney. Born June 29, 1914, in Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late Herman C. and Mary Candace Koon Duffy. She was the wife of Ira C. Ward. Mrs. Ward was a homemaker and attended Shady Grove Presbyterian Church in Derwood. Besides her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Gail Marie Rice of Texas; two grandchildren; two sisters, Hester Ford of College Park and Helen Ward of Centreville, Md.; and one brother, Roy Duffy of North Carolina. Funeral services were held April 2 at Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, followed by burial in Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville. Arrangements were handled by the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. Mary Klein Hardman Mary Klein Hardman, 59, of Potomac, died April 28 at Suburban Hospital of complications from chronic respiratory and heart disease. Mrs. Hardman grew up an only child in Bronx, New York, and earned a bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in Slavic languages and literatures from Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa., in the early 1960s. In 1966 she moved to Washington, D.C. to train with the U.S. Information Agency as a Russian-speaking guide for a trade and cultural mission to the Soviet Union. She represented the U.S. government on two such missions, a six- month tour of the major Soviet cities in 1967 and a shorter mission in 1974. Between her missions to the Soviet Union, Mrs. Hardman was employed as an indexer by the National Library of Medicine, and was a supervising information specialist for the National Institutes of Mental Health, and later the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She married Kenneth E. Hardman in 1975 and shortly afterward joined the consulting firm of Capital Systems Group. After two years she retired from her profession to start her family. Mrs. Hardman was active in the PTAs at Wayside Elementary, Herbert Hoover Middle and Winston Churchill High schools, holding numerous positions as her children progressed through Montgomery County Public Schools. She also was active in Montgomery Soccer Inc., where she served as an age- group coordinator, and was a member of the board of directors. She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Janet Alyssa Hardman of Atlanta; and a son, Michael Edward Hardman of Potomac. Dennis Kerry Albers Dennis Kerry Albers, 53, of Germantown, died May 5 at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Born Dec. 18, 1948, in New York City, Mr. Albers served overseas in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and was later stationed at various Air Force bases throughout the United States, working as a radar technician. He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland and was working toward a master's in business administration from Johns Hopkins University at the time of his death. He worked for many years at Hekimian Laboratories Inc. in Rockville. Most recently, he was vice president of operations for Optim Electronics Inc. in Germantown, where he had worked for 17 years. Mr. Albers was a member of Mother Seton Parish in Germantown. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed cooking. He is survived by his wife Sandra of Germantown; children Karen and Douglas Albers of Germantown; mother Mary Lennon of Bayonne, N.J.; and siblings John Albers and wife, Helga of Gaithersburg, Linda Bitzer and husband Richard of Alexandria, Va. He was predeceased by his father John Albers and sister Donna Saborio. Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 a.m. at Mother Seton Parish, 19951 Father Hurley Blvd., Germantown. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, P.O. Box 611625, North Miami, FL 33261-1625, http://www.cjdfoundation.org; or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454, http://www.cancer.org. Stephen Seckar Stephen Seckar, 85, of Rockville, died Thursday, April 18, at Mary's House, Rockville. He was born in Creighton, Pa. He was the husband of the late Catherine A. Seckar. Survivors include his children, Deborah Ann Ford of Gaithersburg, Sandra Lyn Penko of Germantown, Stephen C. Seckar of Simi Valley, Calif., and Daryle M. Seckar of Germantown; a sister, Ann Tomaszewski; two brothers, John Seckar and Charles Seckar; and seven grandchildren. Mr. Seckar served in the United States Army during World War II. He was an engineering technician. Friends will be received 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville. Burial will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium, Arlington, Va. Anyone attending is asked to assemble at the cemetery administration building by 8:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association Mid- Atlantic Affiliate, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-52166. Robert S. Burress Robert S. "Bob" Burress, 84, of Rockville died May 5 at his residence. He was the husband of the late Ida D. Burress. Born Oct. 4, 1917, in Burkes Garden, Va., he was the son of the late Harvey George Philip and Ina Rebecca Dillo Burress. Survivors include 12 children, Margaret Shupe of Dickerson, Virginia Jones of Florida, Nancy Earley of Point of Rocks, Patsy Moore of Georgia, June Shifflett of Gaithersburg, Brenda Roescher of Georgia, Robert Burress Jr. of Rockville, Kathy Burress of Frederick, Debbie Burress of Laurel, Richard Burress of Kentucky, Hank Burress of Poolesville, and Joey Burress of Glen Burnie; one brother, George Burress of Gaithersburg; two sisters, Mildred Ball of West Virginia and Wanda Ireson of Maryland; 28 grandchildren and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Judy Burress; and five sisters, Ruby Pauley, Elsie Jones, Mamie Dillow, Myrtle Schrader and Marie Loughlin. A funeral service will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Church of God of Prophecy, 14180 Travilah Road in North Potomac. Burial will be in Monocacy Cemetery in Beallsville. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 11331 Amherst Ave., Silver spring, Md. 10901, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 12115 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, Md. 20895. Arrangements were made by Hilton Funeral Home. Helen C. Rabbitt-Gooding Helen Christine Rabbitt-Gooding, 92, of Rockville died May 3. Born June 11, 1909, in Aspen Hill, she was the wife of the late Earl L. Gooding. Mrs. Rabbitt-Gooding worked as a school cafeteria manager for the Montgomery County Public School System. Survivors include two sons, E. Lee Gooding and his wife Barbara, and Jerry E. Gooding and his wife Barbara; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held today at 1 p.m. at Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home, 300 West Montgomery Avenue in Rockville. Burial will be at Rockville Union Cemetery. Pumphrey's Colonial Funeral Home handled the arrangements. ***** May 15, 2002***** Lucille G. Hottinger Lucille G. Hottinger, 86, of Rockville died May 8 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park. Born October 9, 1915, in Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Edgar Furr and Ethel Cornelia Whitacre Gordon. She was the wife of the late Earl Ralph Hottinger, who died in 1979. Mrs. Hottinger graduated from Bunker Hill High School in Bunker Hill, W.Va. She was a homemaker and a member of Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church in Olney. She was also a member of the Montgomery General Hospital Women's Board and did volunteer work at the hospital. Her hobbies included playing bridge, cooking and yard work. Survivors include three children, Gordon E. Hottinger and wife Sandy of Frederick, Elaine L. Carlson and husband Edward of Germantown, and Phillip R. Hottinger of Columbia; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Cornelia Unger of Winchester, Va.; and two brothers, Fred Gordon and C. Langdon Gordon of Winchester, Va. Funeral services were held May 14 at Oakdale Emory United Methodist Church. Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Aspen Hill. Memorial contributions may be made to Board of Child Care, 3300 Gaither Road, Baltimore, Md. 21244. Arrangements were made by the Muriel H. Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. *****May 22, 2002***** Mary Lee Barthel-East Mary Lee Barthel-East, 58, of Thurmont, died Friday at Frederick Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness. Born June 18, 1943, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of George J. Barthel of Braddock Heights and Geneva L. Barthel, who died in 1986. Mrs. Barthel lived her childhood in Braddock Heights and graduated from Middletown High School. She attained her Green Bar from the Girl Scouts of America. Mrs. Barthel has worked as a secretary for businesses in the Frederick and Washington, D.C., areas. Besides her father, she is survived by two daughters, Dona Abarca and husband Ivan of Thurmont, and Angela Palmer of Martinsburg, W.Va.; by grandchildren Ivan D., Collin and Nicole Abarca of Thurmont, and Brandy Palmer of Martinsburg; and by a brother, Donald Barthel of Funkstown. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa East, in 1981. Arrangements were handled by Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, Frederick. Burial is at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick. Those desiring may send memorial contributions to the Frederick County Humane Society, 5712 Industry Lane, Frederick, MD 21704. Nancy W. Linthicum Nancy W. Linthicum, 72, of Westminster, formerly of Montgomery County, died May 14, at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, after complications from a stroke. Born Nov. 24, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Vestus Jesse and Catharine Spurrier Willcox. She was the wife of Barry W. Linthicum, her husband of 46 years. She was a 1948 graduate of the Hannah More Academy and a 1952 graduate of the University of Maryland. She received her master's degree in social work from the Richmond Professional Institute and was employed at Family and Child Services, Washington, D.C. She enjoyed opera, interior design and English literature. Surviving, in addition to her husband, are one son, James G. Linthicum; two daughters, Janet W. Linthicum and Jill Terrell and her husband, Leonard; and two grandchildren, Rachel and Nicole, all of Westminster. A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 21615 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville. Thelma M. Engler Thelma M. Engler, 72, of Olney died May 16 at her home. Born April 23, 1930, in Melrose, Iowa, she was a daughter of the late Robert Joseph and Ruby Marie Chance Sinclair. She was the wife of the late Walter F. Engler, who died in 1999. Mrs. Engler was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Olney. She worked for the Department of Defense as a personnel management specialist. Survivors include three children, Lynn M. Gross and her husband Douglas of Olney, James F. Engler Sr. and his wife Joanne of Sykesville, and Richard A. Engler of Rockville; five grandchildren; four sisters, Delores Yecke of Minnesota, Gertrude Clemmons, Shirley Carr and Eileen Miller of Iowa; and three brothers, Charles, Robert and Archie Sinclair of Iowa. Virginia Moser Virginia Moser, 75, of Rockville died May 14 at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville. Born Feb. 5, 1927, in Rochester, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Milton C. Latta and Loretta Lovell Moore. She was the wife of retired Air Force Col. John Moser, prominent Rockville activist and president of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference. Mrs. Moser was one of the founders of Rockville Unitarian Church and was extremely active with Rockville Little Theatre. She directed more than 30 plays in Montgomery County and in Germany. Her hobbies included cruising, reading and travel. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Faith Moser, and Faith's fiancé, Dana Love; and a multitude of friends in the metropolitan area and in Europe. A memorial service was held May 19 at Rockville Unitarian Church. Her remains were cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at 800-272-3900. Dawn M. Thir Myers Dawn Marie Thir Myers, 43, of Romney, W.Va., who grew up in Montgomery County, died Jan. 24 at Integrated Health Services of West Virginia, in Charles Town. Born April 20, 1958, in Bethesda, she was the daughter of Rose Marie Thir and the late Michael F. Thir of Rockville. She was a 1976 graduate of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville. She enjoyed refinishing old furniture, creating art work and decorating. In addition to her mother, she leaves her fiancé, John Hubbard of Romney; one daughter, Paige Kristen Myers of Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; and two sisters, Pamela Hinkle of Shenandoah Junction, W.Va., and Stephanie L. Thir of Daisy, Md. She was preceded in death by her father and one brother, Michael B. Thir. A memorial service was held Jan. 26 at Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home in Charles Town.