Lavinia Mae 'Jean' Elzey Insley

LAKESVILLE - Lavinia Mae "Jean" Elzey Insley, age 89, of Lakesville, Dorchester County, died on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2009 at Chesapeake Woods Center, Cambridge. Born on April 13, 1920, in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Olin Henson Elzey and Cecilia Edna Wallace Elzey. As a young girl, she resided in Cambridge for just a short time and was raised and educated in South Dorchester. On Jan. 9, 1943, she married Robert Alvin Insley. He died on Feb. 9, 1996. Jean, as she was affectionately known, was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church at Kirwan's Neck, Golden Hill and also a member of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Dorchester Retired Educators' Association and the Maryland State Retired School Personnel Association. For most of her working life, she was employed with the Dorchester County Board of Education in Food Services and retired after twenty five years of service. She worked at South Dorchester School during the school year and worked several years at St. Clair Elementary School and Cambridge High School in the summer programs. She enjoyed her work because of her love for children. Jean loved her family, church and country. It was only fitting she would pass on Memorial Day, a day so dear to her heart. Anyone who knew Jean couldn't help but notice her compassion for people and that she was a real "people person." Jean adored being with her family and was certainly well known for her great cooking. When she was a younger woman, she enjoyed gardening. In her later years, she enjoyed watching the birds and the squirrels in the yard and also had a great appreciation and love of flowers. Surviving are three children, Carolyn I. Todd and her husband Arthur of Cambridge, Robert A. Insley and his wife Linda of Lakesville, James L. "Jimmy" Insley and his wife Sharon of Bucktown; four grandchildren, Jeff Insley and his wife Debbie of Salisbury, N.C., Lisa Tarbutton and her husband William of Preston, Erica Insley of Cambridge, Howard Todd and his wife Jennifer of Toddville; seven great-grandchildren, Chad Insley, Dakotah Insley, Jamie Tarbutton, April Tarbutton, Victoria Tarbutton, Kayla Tarbutton and William Tarbutton Jr.; six siblings, Harry Elzey and his wife Patsy of Golden Hill, Margaret Bennett also of Golden Hill, Peggy Ruark of Hudson, William Elzey and his wife Dorothy of Cambridge, Allen Elzey and his wife Brenda of Cambridge, and Florence Elzey of Golden Hill; numerous nieces; nephews; great nieces; great nephews and cousins. Preceding her in death besides her parents and husband were three brothers, Wallace Elzey, Albury "Toots" Elzey and his wife Olive, Prettyman Elzey and his wife Virginia; two brothers-in-law, Sidney Bennett and Robert Ruark; and an infant sister. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A., where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Officiating at the service will be The Rev. Gary L. Crouch. Burial will follow at St. John's U.M. Church Cemetery at Kirwan's Neck in Golden Hill. Pallbearers will be her nephews Joe Ruark, Ricky Elzey, Rev. Dr. Wm Kim Elzey, Duane Elzey, Robert Elzey and Billy Elzey. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Mrs. Insley's memory to St. John's U.M. Church, c/o Mrs. Doris K. Lewis, 3347 Golden Hill Rd., Church Creek, MD 21622. To send online condolences, please visit www.curran-bromwell.com/obituaries.