Jean Blackman Todd

Martha Jean Blackman Todd of Ruthsburg left this life on Friday, February 1, 2013. Jean charmed all those she met with her beaming smile, cheerful outlook, and capacity for fun. She was 88. Jean was born June 24, 1924, in Clarksburg, WV, to the late, Judson Silas Blackman and Martha Carskadon Blackman. With her sister, Mary Blackman Brewster, the family of four moved to the Western Shore of Maryland when Jean was twelve. Graduating from Catonsville High School, Class of 1942, she then went on to the University of Maryland where she studied and enjoyed sorority life. On February 12, 1949, she married Ben Sparks Todd and resided on the family farm at Lynch Cove. While raising their two sons, Jean explored many creative pursuits. Todd Brothers relocated to the Eastern Shore in 1966. Having enjoyed the craft of eggery while living in Dundalk, Jean pursued this further with a shop, “Busy Hands” for a short period in the mid-1970’s. Those creations of Jean’s eggery have been termed “museum-quality” when seen on exhibit. Also, Jean took painting classes and traveled about with like-minded friends painting, primarily, local buildings. Many of these are no longer standing. All this while traveling around the world with Ben to visit her sister at various locations where Mary’s husband, Ambassador Robert Brewster, had been assigned. Mrs. Todd was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ben. She is survived by her sister Mary of Washington, DC; her sons, Philip of Stevensville and Tom and his wife, Harriet of Ruthsburg; and numerous WV; and great nieces and nephews. She always enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, Mary Meghan of Edgewater and Ben and his wife, AnneMarie of Spring City, PA. Jean was especially delighted to be great-grandma to their three-year-old daughter, Carmella Marie Todd. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 10:00 AM with a luncheon to follow. The internment at Todd’s Inheritance on North Point Road at a later date will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be welcome for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 301 S. Liberty St., Centreville, MD 21617 or Todd’s Inheritance Historic Site, c/o Carolyn Mroz, Bay Vanguard, 7114 North Point Road, Baltimore, MD 21219 with the sincere thanks of Jean’s family.

Jean Blackman Todd

June 24, 1924 - February 1, 2013