Mary Louise Leager

Mary Louise W. Leager of Church Hill, MD, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at the Hospice of Queen Anne’s residence in Centreville. She was 93. Born July 31, 1918, in Concord, MD, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Emma Wright. Mrs. Leager graduated from Caroline High School in 1935. After graduation she worked at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and E.I. DuPont in Seaford, DE. On June 28, 1941, she married Charles E. Leager of Price, MD. On their farm in Church Hill, they raised their family and farmed together for nearly 60 years until his death on May 30, 2000. At the time of her marriage, she transferred her membership from Concord Church to Price Bethany United Methodist Church, where she became an active member. She taught Sunday School there for many years and led Junior Choir for 19 years. She served as leader of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and was also the pianist. She was a member of the Methodist Women’s Society, United Methodist Women, for 67 years and held many different offices and served as Historian since 1994. She was also on the Memorial Committee for many years. As a member of the Administrative Board she held many offices, including Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee. Several times she was also a delegate to the Methodist Peninsula Conference. When her children were in school she became an active member of the Parent Teacher’s Association and was “room mother” for each of her three children. She became an Instructional Aide for Church Hill Elementary School in September of 1965. She enjoyed her work because of her love of children. Because of her service to the community she was honored by the PTA with Life Membership into the Maryland State PTA. She was the only person in Queen Anne’s County that year to receive the honor. After ten years as an Instructional Aide she took on the role of Secretary Clerk until her retirement in June of 1981. Mrs. Leager was a former member of the Queen Anne’s County Homemaker’s Club and Chorus which she greatly enjoyed because of the many friends she made. She was a past member of the County Retired Teachers Association and member of Price Community Club since its formation. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Ellwood and Thomas. Mrs. Leager is survived by her children, Margaret Ann Gretzinger, James Leager and his wife, Kay, Dale Leager and his wife, Sallie; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held at Price Bethany United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, at 2:00pm, where a visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Sudlersville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Memorial Fund, Price Bethany United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 6, Church Hill, MD 21623 and Hospice of Queen Anne's Inc., 255 Comet Drive, Centreville, MD 21617.

Mary Louise Leager

July 31, 1918 - February 23, 2012