We Remember Those We Have Lost

We Remember Those We Have Lost
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Nancy A. Ruggerio

OCEAN CITY – Nancy A. Ruggerio age 98, died at her home in Ocean City on Feb. 17, 2010.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph B. Ruggerio, and a son, Russell “Bo” Ruggerio.

She was also preceded in death by her brothers, John Alizzo, and Joseph Alizzo, and sisters; Marie Puccio, Jennie Rodio, Angela Lamonte, and Anne Venuto. She leaves her close friend, Mary Jane Swift.

Ruggerio was a homemaker and lived in Ocean City for 40 years.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, at 11 a.m., at Holy Savior Catholic Church, on 17th St. in Ocean City.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her memory to: The Russell B. Ruggerio Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, 1324 Belmont Ave. Suite 401 Salisbury, Md. 21804

Shirley Grace Quillen

BERLIN – A story of Grace.

On Oct. 1, 2009, Chris and Mari Quillen received the wonderful news they had been waiting five months to hear, "it looks like a baby girl". Leaving their ultrasound appointment with joy in their hearts and elation beaming from their core, they called their family to share the blissful news. Their celebration came to a painfully abrupt halt as they received an urgent call from the doctor asking them to come back immediately.

In short, they received the devastating report that their daughter, Shirley Grace, had a condition in which her brain had not developed and in its place were significant amounts of fluid. They were advised by doctors and specialists to terminate the pregnancy.

Understanding the beauty and value of each precious life that God gives, they made the decision to carry their sweet angel and trust that as God is the perfect giver of life, he too would take her in his perfect timing.

The weeks and months that led up to Gracie’s birth were difficult and filled with sleepless nights and countless tears, but God in His goodness and mercy gave Chris and Mari the strength they needed to keep fighting and believing in Faith that their daughter would defy the reports of the doctors.

On Jan. 29, 2010, Miss Shirley Grace did just that. She came into this world with a spirit and presence that humbled and touched every soul she came into contact with and even brought the doubting doctors to tears. The following three weeks brought one miracle after the next and every aspect of her life and her parents’ faith continued to glorify Christ and bring lost souls back to the Lord.

She is survived by her mother and father, Chris and Mari Quillen; big brother, Elijah, 1; maternal grandparents Frank Finke and Faye Lawson of Lewes, Del,; and paternal grandparents Tom and Nancy Quillen

of Melbourne, Fla.

Services were held. She asked mourners to consider a donation to the Crisis Pregnancy Center, 1304 South Division Street, Salisbury, Md. 21804. Please write in memo Shirley Grace Pregnancy Center. Arrangements handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Maude Crawford Lynch Gaskins

BERLIN – Maude Crawford Lynch Gaskins, 97, died Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Henry Lee Lynch and Katie Holland Lynch. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar G. Gaskins, in 1988 and a son-in-law, William "Bill" Matthews in 2009.

She is survived by her daughter, Katie Belle Gaskins Matthews of Berlin; grandchildren, William Edgar Matthews and his wife Debbie of Springfield, Va. and their children Mindy and Michael, Russell Scott Matthews and his wife Stephanie of Manassas, Va. and their children Blake and Marcus, and Mary Lynn Driggers-Malloy and her husband Joseph of Manassas, Va and their children Katie, Matthew, Mary Driggers, Robbie and his wife Melissa Driggers and Julia and Sean Malloy.

There are two surviving brothers, James Edward "Snooks" Lynch and his wife Jane and Franklin H. Lynch and his wife Paula all of Berlin. There are numerous nieces and nephews.

Gaskins was the last surviving graduate of Buckingham High School Class of 1929. She and her husband had owned and operated the Miami Court Motel, LaGrand Hotel and Safari Motel in Ocean City. She was a member of the Boggs-Disharoon American Legion Post 123 Ladies Auxiliary in Berlin. She was the oldest member of Buckingham Presbyterian Church in Berlin.

Services were held. Donations may be made to the Buckingham Presbyterian Church, Board of Trustees, PO Box 248, Berlin, Md. 21811.

Michael Willey

BERLIN – Michael “Head Buster” Willey, 43, of Whaleyville, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 at the Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

He was born in Lewes, Del., son of Charlotte Truitt and the late, Horace E. Willey, Sr.

He was an avid Nascar fan and raced a drag car named “Head Buster” for several years.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Seena Ann Mumford.

He is survived by his long time girlfriend of 20 years, Kim Ashcraft of Pittsville; his mother, Charlotte Marie Truitt of Whaleyville; two brothers, Horace E. Willey, Jr and his wife Teresa of Bishopville and Ricky Lee Willey of Whaleyville; three sisters, Becky Davis and her husband Mike of Pittsville, Crystal Baker and her husband David of Whaleyville and Angel Truitt and her husband Jose Ceja of Parsonsburg; a special nephew, David “Beaver” Baker, Jr; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Services were held. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.

Margaret Virginia Davis

POWELLVILLE – Margaret Virginia Davis, 90, died Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, at Coastal Hospice in Salisbury.

Born in Cedartown, she was the daughter of the late Neil Smack and Pearl Holston Smack. 

Davis was a hard worker throughout her life as well as a homemaker. She was a special person to anyone that knew her and touched many lives.

She is survived by her daughter, Helen Bailey-Smith, and her husband Wayne Smith, of Georgetown; her sons, Donald Davis of Whiton, son Ronald Davis and his wife Linda Davis, of Frankford; her daughter, Frances Adkins, and her husband Tommy Adkins, of Salisbury; her grandchildren, Jeff Bailey, Kevin Bailey, Garry Donaway, Sherree West and Ashley Jones; and her great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Shelby, Kevin Michael, Joshua, Alexis and Isaiah. She is also survived by her siblings, Robert Smack of Pittsville, Eleanor Adrion of Salisbury, Barbara Tyndall of Pittsville, Dorothy Baker of Georgetown, and Betty Littleton of Pittsville. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Otho; brothers, Marvel Smack, William “Gilly” Smack and Dorsey Smack; and four sisters that passed shortly after childbirth.

A graveside service will be held at noon on Friday, Feb. 19 in Powellville Cemetery. Chaplain Mickey Ashby will officiate.

A donation may be made in her honor to Powellville Fire Company, Womens’ Auxilliary, 5085 Powellville Road, Pittsville, Md. 21850.

Jay M. Benedict

OCEAN CITY – Jay Mikell Benedict age, 39, passed away on Feb. 20, 2010.

Born in Port Huenene, Calif., he was the son of Sanni Lau and the late Larry Lau.

He was a proud owner of two businesses, Absolute Powerwash and Classic Coat Painting.  He was truly and wholeheartedly loved unconditionally by all.  His smile, laughter and silliness will be truly missed. A traveler at heart, people all over the world will miss him.

Along with his mother, he is survived by a sister, Stacy Lau, and a godson, Caleb. He leaves behind his beloved dog, Onyx, and many friends around the world.

A benefit in his honor will be held on Friday at 9 p.m. at Pepper’s Tavern, 1513 Atlantic Ave in Ocean City. A memorial service will be announced at that time. 

In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to: The Worcester County Humane Society, PO Box 48 Berlin, Md. 21811, or OC Surf Memorial, c/o Martin Furst 6103 Sea Bay Dr. Ocean City, Md. 21842 or Surfrider Foundation, PO Box 3342 Ocean City, Md. 21843. 

Arrangements are being handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.