Frances Breeden Pusey
OCEAN CITY — Frances Breeden Pusey of Ocean City left this worldly life on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at the remarkable age of 97 years. She was surrounded by family in her favorite room overlooking the waters of the Fenwick Ditch on the back-waters of Assawoman Bay.
Frances B. Pusey
Fran was predeceased by Marshall Errett Pusey, beloved husband since 1942, and her treasured son Michael Matthew Pusey of Salisbury. She has two surviving daughters, Mary Jane Pusey of Ocean City, and Marsha Dean Pusey of Mount Vernon, Md. and spouse Bonnie Lynn Kelland whom Fran loved as a daughter. She is blessed with three grandchildren, Cynthia Pusey Vigdor, Robert Bennett Wirts III and Errett Somervell Pusey and their families, along with six great-grandchildren and an especially cherished niece, Mary Anne Pusey. In addition, she leaves behind four other well-loved and caring nieces, Susan Vickers, Patricia Ceccarelli, Robin Derrickson, and Delores Fantin as well as her cousin Eula Gregory.
Frances was born in Brunswick, Md. In her high school years, her family moved to Washington, DC. After graduating from The Strayer Business College, she worked at The National Geographic Magazine. In 1946, Fran and Marshall had the first of their three children. Frances was thereafter a devoted wife and mother encouraging and inspiring her children in areas of competitive swimming, ballet, and equestrian endeavors. Her family life was spent living in Viriginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland.
In the early 1950’s, a move to Lochearn on the outskirts of Baltimore afforded her friendships that lasted her lifetime. She remained close to her friends and their grown children who often visited her in her Ocean City home.
Forty years ago, Fran and Marsh moved to his hometown of Ocean City. Sources of joy and interest for Fran included beach and boating with family, as well as painting and stitchery arts. She was also amazingly well-read and knowledgeable, in addition to being an avid conversationalist. Friends and family will forever remember her as a gracious hostess and quite the lady! Frances volunteered for St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church working with happy and close friends. She also spent years volunteering at Atlantic General Hospital along with her friend Phyl Shek, now of the Baltimore area. Those years were among the most meaningful times of her life.
Due to declining vision, Fran sadly had to give up driving and volunteering at age 87. She spent the last 10 years of her life visiting some of her favorite places and offering a loving environment at the beach for three generations of visiting family. All who loved her will forever picture her in the Ocean City home she and Marshall designed where her daily view of songbirds, waterfowl and boats along the gently flowing waters of the Fenwick Ditch brought her immense pleasure. The highlight of her day was when she watched as the sunsets spread their vivid colors across the waters outside her windows.
In her last weeks, she often spoke of returning to the family’s horse farm in Reisterstown, Md. or going back to Shenandoah, Va. where she spent early childhood times with family along the mighty Shenandoah River. The name Shenandoah means “The Daughter of the Stars”. Frances was, indeed, “The Daughter of the Stars.”
At a later time, the family will announce a private memorial service to be held at St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Ocean City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church, 302 Baltimore Ave., Ocean City, Md. 21842 or Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802.