Rachel Marie Fairbank Marsh

On Sunday, November 15, 2009, Rachel Marie Fairbank Marsh went to heaven to be with our Lord. She was born on July 12, 1913, and passed away in the same family home on 412 Water Street, St. Michaels, Md. Rachel was the youngest of six children born to the late Ella Jewell Fairbank (a homemaker) and the late, Walter Wrightson Fairbank (a shoemaker). She attended public school in St. Michaels, graduating in 1930. In her late teens, she met and married Milford Seymour. He became owner and captain of the "Original Floating Theater," the successor of the "James Adams Floating Theater" on which Edna Ferber, after spending a season on the boat, wrote the book "Showboat", later made into a movie of the same name. The Original Floating Theater was a barge pulled by two tugs, the "Elk" and the "Trooper" that plied the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and inlets along the Inland Waterway putting on plays and concerts for the local townspeople. For over ten years Rachel sold tickets, acted and danced on the showboat. In the early 40's, the marriage ended and Rachel returned to St. Michaels. She began working for Sen. Marvel in Easton and later in the Legislature in Annapolis. When the Legislative session ended, she began working for the Comptroller of the Treasury, J. Millard Tawes, where she met her future husband, Benjamin F. Marsh. She returned to St. Michaels in the 50's to care for her ailing mother and worked for Benson & Wales Insurance. In 1961, she married Benjamin F. Marsh, Chief of the Income Tax Division for the State of Maryland, and they built their dream home on the Miles River. She was the oldest life member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, was in charge of the acolytes and served on many committees. Because of her love of flowers, she was also caretaker of the prayer garden for many years. She was very devoted and giving to her family. She is survived by one daughter, Rachel Jane Brown of 412 Water Street, St. Michaels; three grandchildren, Tina Marie Fluharty of Shady Side, Md., Franklin Jewell Fluharty and his companion, Lynn Ennis, of Vienna, Md., Kristen Jeannene Welch and her husband Ralph of Aquasco, Md.; five great-grandchildren, Rebecca Bunting, Benjamin Cottrell; and Amanda Bennett, Eric Fluharty, Mary Ellen Fluharty, and their mother Christina Lynn Fluharty; and one great-great-grandchild, Jesse Jewell Link; and niece Jewell Blanchfield and nephew Sam Smith, both of Federalsburg, Md. She was predeceased by her husband Benjamin F. Marsh and her sisters Ella Fairbank Smith and Lena Mae Fairbank, and her brothers Millard Fairbank, Albert Fairbank and Jewell Fairbank. The family would like to express it's sincere gratitude to The Talbot Hospice Foundation and especially Nurse Marjorie "Pete" Fox and Dr. Anish M. Hinduja for their kind and loving care during her final days. Viewing will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. 200 South Harrison St., Easton, Md. 21601, between the hours of 4pm and 6pm. The funeral service and burial will be held Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 2pm, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 304 S. Talbot St., St. Michaels, Md. 21663 In honor of Rachel, contributions may be sent to St. Lukes United Methodist Church or The Talbot Hospice Foundation. Flowers may be sent to Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A.

Rachel Marie Fairbank Marsh

July 12, 1913 - November 15, 2009