Warther

Mary W. Warther of St. Marys and Swanton, Maryland, died at her home in St. Marys on Aug. 4, 2021. She would have celebrated her 90th birthday on Aug. 5.

Mary was born on Aug. 5, 1931 in Norfolk, Virginia, to Frank E. and Vera H. Williams. She attended American University, played the piano and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music. She met her future husband, Fred, at American University. They were married on Dec. 27, 1952.

Mary and Fred discovered Deep Creek Lake in 1962, purchased and restored an old stone house on Rock Lodge Road, then purchased 40 acres of Deep Creek Lake waterfront property from the Fitzwater Farm at Turkey Neck in 1973. They built their vacation home there and operated Byewater Antiques from that location. When they retired in 1992, they continued in the antique business until 2005.

Mary was active in the Episcopal Church all her life. She and a small group of friends founded and built St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in New Carrollton, Maryland, in 1956. Mary worked for the American Red Cross, managing their Bloodmobile operations in Prince Georges County, and retired from the Red Cross. In her latter years, she was very active at her home in St. Marys with bridge and Christ Episcopal Church in St. Marys. She loved all her friends in Osprey Cove and St. Marys.

Mary’s husband, Fred, died on Jan. 31, 2019. She is survived by her sons Robert, Richard and John and their families.

A memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in St. Marys. A second memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Deer Park, Maryland, for the internment of ashes. Dates and times for the memorial services will be announced at a later date.

“Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.” Proverbs 31: 25–28, 31

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Please send any gifts to the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.