Published on: Thursday, February 02, 2012

By Mary McHale

Dr. Mudd’s last grandchild dies at 100

Marie Carmelite Mudd Summers was born 100 years ago, Dec. 28, 1911, the seventh of the nine children of Samuel and Claudine Louise Mudd. She died on Jan. 24, the last grandchild of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd.

She was born and grew up in the historic home of her grandparents, now the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House, a museum open to the public, near Waldorf in Charles County. It was in that house that Dr. Mudd set the leg of the fleeing John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Lincoln.

Carmelite (as I always knew her) was valedictorian of her high school class. After high school, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she graduated from Strayer Business College. On July 3, 1934 she married George Mace Summers at St. Peter’s Church in Waldorf.

As one of her children said at her funeral, Carmelite was “one of the early stars of the women’s movement.” And indeed, her work history is impressive: the Census Bureau, 14 years with the FBI where she worked in the office of J. Edgar Hoover, 10 years with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and 17 years for the mayor of Cheverly.

As a volunteer, she participated in the preparation for Pope John Paul II’s visit to the United States in 1979 and she served with the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Society. But most impressive was her volunteering at Prince George’s Hospital Center for more than 30 years, five days a week, until the age of 96. The hospital awarded her the 2003 Strata Award for Volunteer Service.  And at the Collington Life Care Community, where she lived in recent years, she received the Collington Volunteer of the Year award.

Her husband Mace died in 1972.  Survivors include five children, George Mace Summers Jr., Robert Summers, Allan Summers, Patrick Summers and Anita Adee, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial was at Holy Family Church in Mitchellville with burial at Resurrection Cemetery.

Know a Prince George’s resident 90 or older?

The Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking information about Prince George’s County residents ages 90 and older. A special spring event is coming up where special recognition will be given to centenarians — residents 100 years old and older.

If you know someone who resides in the county and turned 90 or older in 2011, or before, call the staff at 301-446-3400 no later than Feb. 27.

Neighbors

Mayor Karen Rooker administered the oath of office to a new Morningside police officer, Ronald Seldon, during the December town meeting.

In the Washington Post “Animal Watch” column, I noted that one of my neighbors on Skyline Drive reported a squirrel inside her fireplace.  An officer came and removed the “healthy brown squirrel and returned it to the wild.”

Sadly, I’ve learned of the deaths of several friends and will pay tribute to them in future columns. They include Arnie Calhoun, of Skyline; Bernie Gilchrist, of Auth Village; and Judy Mammano, of District Heights.

Valentine Dinner Dance

The Knights of Columbus are hosting a Valentine Dinner Dance on Sunday, Feb. 12, from 2:30 to

6 p.m. in Sarto Hall, 3611 Stewart Road, Forestville. A live band, “4 of a Kind,” will entertain while Topolino’s caters dinner, including grilled salmon, manicotti, chicken primavera and seafood primavera. Admission is $20 per person or $35 per couple. Call for information at 301-735-8855 or George Hoehl at 301-599-0307.

May they rest in peace

James Warren Goode, 86, formerly of Ridgecrest Drive in Skyline, died Jan. 4 at his home in Mechanicsville. He was retired as a carpenter at Button & Goode Construction in Silver Spring. Survivors include his wife Doris Redmond Goode, twin sons Donald and Ronald Goode, two brothers and two sisters, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Service was at Christ Episcopal Church in Chaptico with burial in the church cemetery.

Maj. William “Bill” Anthony Nogay, retired U.S. Air Force, 91, of Hillcrest Heights, a decorated World War II B-17 pilot who flew 48 combat missions, died Jan. 14. A native of Youngstown, Ohio, he joined the Army Air Corps at 19 and became a pilot. He also worked as a cost analyst. His wife of 66 years, Mary Agnes Nogay, five children and 10 grandchildren survive him. Mass of Christian Burial was at Holy Family Church. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Feb. 23.

Milestones

Happy birthday to Ashley Lee, Feb. 3; Mary Graham, Feb. 4; Adam Cook, Feb. 5; Diane McCrone, Feb. 6; Theo Carter, Rita Beall and J.B. Thomas, Feb. 7; Jesse Ritter and my granddaughter Molly McHale, Feb. 8; and Mary (Stakem) Crane, Feb. 9.

Happy 62nd anniversary to William and Betty Fitzpatrick on Feb. 4.