Marietta Mae McElligott

Marietta Mae “Mary” McElligott (née Graves), age 86, of Bowie, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home with her beloved husband by her side on Friday, March 3, 2023.

 

Mary was born on May 24, 1936, in Tinsley, Kentucky, to Mary LouVada “Vada” (DeBord) Graves and Lloyd Stanley Graves Sr. She was the eighth of nine children.

 

When she was 5 years old, Mary moved with her family to southwest Washington, DC, where she grew up on Sixth Street and on Brandywine Place. She was a proud graduate of McKinley Tech High School. After high school, she worked for the Chesapeake & Potomac (C&P) Telephone Company.

 

In the summer of 1953, Mary met the love of her life, Ronald Francis “Ron” McElligott, at Colonial Beach, Virginia. They were married on May 5, 1956, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in southwest Washington, DC.

 

In the early years of their marriage, Mary and Ron lived in Baltimore, Alexandria, Washington, and, briefly, California. They eventually bought a home in Bowie, MD, in 1963 and raised their family there.

 

Mary loved reading, tending her rose gardens, playing gin rummy, going to the beach, and gathering with family. Two of her favorite destinations were Ocean City, MD, and Ogunquit, ME.

 

Together, Mary and Ron were very active in the Knights of Columbus at the state and local levels. They enjoyed the many trips they took, causes they helped, and friends they made through the Knights.

 

In addition to her husband Ron of nearly 67 years, Mary is survived by her daughter Laurie McElligott of Pomfret, MD; her daughter Donna McElligott and her husband Greg Howard of Brattleboro, VT; her four grandsons Christopher Trotter and his wife Becky of Bowie, MD; Bryan Trotter and his girlfriend Cecilia Östman of Washington, DC; Justin Trotter of King George, VA; and Kevin Trotter of Jacksonville, NC; and four great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Quinn, Hayden, and Liam. Mary is also survived by her brother Charlie Graves and his wife Betty; sisters Jean Burkett and Sue Savoy; sisters-in-law Mary Kendra and her husband Paul and Patty Mulligan and her husband Jay; and numerous nephews and nieces.

 

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Lloyd Graves Jr. (Betty), Freddie Graves (Wilma), and Glen Graves (Helen); her sisters Kitty Johnson (Bernie) and Ardith J. Graves (who died in infancy); and her brothers-in-law Phil Thomas, James Cook, and Jerry McElligott (Lynn).

 

The family would like to thank Mary’s homecare provider Lifenet Healthcare Services, Inc., and Hospice of the Chesapeake for their kind and compassionate care and support.

 

Viewing hours will be from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, at Beall Funeral Home (6512 NW Crain Hwy, Bowie, MD  20715).

 

The church service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Sacred Heart Chapel on the hill (16501 Annapolis Road, Bowie).

 

Immediately following the church service, a gathering will take place at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 6111 Columbian Way (off Route 3 North), Bowie, MD. Burial will be private at Sacred Heart Chapel Cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in Mary’s name to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 9500 Medical Center Drive, #250, Largo, MD 20774; or a charity of your own choosing.