Emily LaCivita

Emily Harding Beall LaCivita, age 84, passed away peacefully with family at her side on June 1, 2018, following complications from a severe stroke. Emily’s warm smile and disarming personality touched many lives and opened the door for many friendships. She was a proud mother and grandmother and was active and fully engaged in life, her family, and friends until just prior to her death. Born in Texarkana, TX, to Arkansas natives Lois Talbert and William Brewster Harding, the family moved to College Park, MD, shortly following her father’s untimely death in 1943. She grew up on Hopkins Ave. where she met lifelong friend, Anne Thompson Morrison. She graduated from Northwestern High School in 1952 and earned Bachelors and Master’s degrees from the University of Maryland. She was a member of AOPi sorority. She married Ralph Newton Beall (since divorced), with whom she had three children. She worked as a Librarian in Prince George’s County Schools until she retired after 30 years. Following retirement, she worked as a Reference Librarian at Kent Island Library for 25 years and volunteered for the Howard County Library System from 2013-2016. In the early 70s, she became a single mom and sole provider for her three children, whom she raised in Adelphi, MD. She was a woman of great strength and courage, and through her actions, her children learned the importance of hard work, commitment, loyalty, strong friendships, trust, optimism—and most importantly, the value of a good education. She was Cadette Girl Scout leader and took frequent camping trips with her children and dear friend Lorraine Costella, who also had three children—ensuring that each child knew how to pitch a tent and build a proper camp fire. Always interested in learning new skills coupled with her passion for music and the arts, she spent much of her free time learning and mastering calligraphy, knitting, sewing, painting, playing guitar, doing origami, and book binding. She was a committed member of Sweet Adeline’s International for 42 years, singing with barbershop choruses, including Pride of Baltimore Chorus and Capital Accord. She often traveled regionally and internationally for competitions. In 1989, she married Emil LaCivita and lived on Kent Island, MD, where they were both very active in the community. Together they enjoyed entertaining and watching Chesapeake Bay wildlife and passing freighters from their waterfront home. She adored her seven grandchildren, always encouraging them to discover and pursue their passions. She attended countless chorus, band, and dance recitals; plays, musicals, and sports events supporting their hard work and spoke of each of them with great pride. Later in life, she enjoyed reading, traveling, and researching family genealogy. She was a direct descendant of the Mayflower’s William Brewster and a Daughter of the American Revolution. Emily is survived by three children, Edson Harding Beall (Rebecca) of Pasadena, MD, Nina Beall Krzysko (Mark) of Ellicott City, MD, and Anne Talbert Luzier (Michael) of Severna Park, MD; and seven grandchildren, Jason H. Beall (Addison), Joseph V. Krzysko (Nicole), Michael M. Krzysko, Robert A. Luzier, Billy M. Luzier, Matt R. Luzier, and Emily S. Luzier. Emily was preceded in death by her big sister, Charlene Cumberland; her first husband, Ralph Newton Beall; and Emil Louis LaCivita. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2018, Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam (FHN) Funeral Home in Chester, MD, (Kent Island) from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. A memorial service will be held Friday, June 8 at 11 am at Christ Church Parish Kent Island, 830 Romancoke Rd, Stevensville, MD 21666. Internment will immediately follow at Broadcreek Cemetery, followed by a reception at Christ Church. Memorial contributions may be made in Emily’s name to Christ Church Parish Kent Island, 830 Romancoke Rd., Stevensville, MD 21666 or the Maryland State Arts Council, 175 West Ostend Street, Suite E, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.

Emily LaCivita

October 8, 1933 - June 1, 2018