Katharine M Draper

Katharine Mary Maybeck Draper of Centreville, MD, passed away peacefully at Compass Regional Hospice Center in Centreville, MD, on April 1, 2016. She was 85. Born in Orange, NJ, on January 13, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Merrell G. Maybeck and Frances E. Abrams, and grew up in the New York and New Jersey area. Known to everyone as Kathy, she graduated from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in 1953, and earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University. After moving to the Eastern Shore to teach music at Stevensville High School, Kathy met her husband, Frank, who taught her a passion for oysters and blue crabs. They were married in Glen Rock, NJ, on June 24, 1956, and she returned to the Eastern Shore to teach music. Mrs. Draper taught in the public schools of Queen Anne's County as well as the Gunston School in Centreville. Her life was filled with family, friends, music, and travel. A piano teacher to many in the Centreville area, she continued to play well into retirement and was the accompanist to the Queen Anne's County High School Choir for many years until 2010. As a singer, Kathy was a founding member and former board member of the Queen Anne's Chorale in 1988 and continued singing until her passing. Active at St. Paul's Parish in Centreville, Kathy sang in the choir after serving as the choir director, and served as a lay minister, a member of the Altar Guild, the Vestry, and numerous other activities and positions at St. Paul's. While not traveling the globe from China to Egypt with her many friends, Kathy served on the board on the Queen Anne's Museum of Eastern Shore Life, volunteered at the Queen Anne's County Free Library, the Queen Anne’s County Historical Society, the Queen Anne's Arts Council, and numerous other organizations during her 85 years. Never idle, Kathy's activities included playing bridge, doing water aerobics, practicing yoga, participating book and dinner clubs, and attending the symphony. Spending time with her granddaughters always brought her joy as she participated in tea parties, vacationed, and traveled with the family, and attended the children's numerous plays, performances, and sports games. Mrs. Draper is survived by her son, Franklin Warner Draper, IV, and daughter-in-law, Michelle E. Thomas-Draper of Centreville, MD; grandchildren, Elizabeth Hope Draper of Honolulu, HI, Katharine Willis Draper, Caroline Blanche Draper, and Emma Ruth Draper of Centreville, MD; a brother, Edward Maybeck and sister in-law the Rev. Susan Maybeck of Pittsford, NY; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. She was predeceased by her husband, Franklin Warner Draper, III, in 2002. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016, 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville, MD. Interment will follow at Chesterfield Cemetery in Centreville. Family and friends may call on Friday April 8, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Centreville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Music Fund, P.O. Box 278, Centreville, MD 21617; Queen Anne's Museum of Eastern Shore Life, P.O. Box 525, Centreville, MD 21617; the Queen Anne's Chorale, P.O. Box 118, Chester, MD 21619; or a charity of your choice.

Katharine M Draper

January 13, 1931 - April 1, 2016