Norma M. 'Winkie' Horwath, 87

CAMBRIDGE - Norma M. "Winkie" Horwath, 87, of Cambridge, passed away at the Dorchester General Hospital on Friday April 10, 2009. She was born in Cambridge on March 5, 1922, and was a daughter of the late Raymond Willis Messick and Elsie LeCompte Messick Boyle. Mrs. Horwath was raised and educated in Dorchester County, graduating from Cambridge High School in 1939. After graduation she worked for a short while at McCrory's 5 & 10, and later worked for ten years in the main office of the Phillips Packing Co. in Cambridge. On August 24, 1945 she was married to Melvin S. Horwath. They made their home in Cambridge for the next five years. Mr. Horwath worked for the Armour Meat Co., and was transferred to Dover where they lived until he passed away on August 20, 1975. While living in Dover Mrs. Horwath worked briefly as a secretary at the International Latex Corp. In 1951 she started working at the Dover Air Force Base, and remained there until she retired on January 22, 1973, after 22 years of service. Mrs. Horwath was the first civilian in the history of Dover Air Force Base to be awarded the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 1969 for her distinguished performance as executive secretary and special assistant to five Wing Commanders of the 436th Military Airlift Wing (MAC) Department of the U.S. Air Force. She was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, AARP, Tidewater Chapter # 1372, Dorchester Post # 91 American Legion Auxiliary, AARP, Chapter # 1278 and Eastern Shore Auxiliary of the 29th Division Association. In November of 1975 she moved back to Cambridge to be near her family. Mrs. Horwath enjoyed traveling, playing cards, playing Scrabble and spending time with her family. Survivors include two sisters, Kerleen Hodde of Cambridge and Connie Robinson and her husband Glenn Robinson of Cambridge, one brother, William "Bill" Messick and his wife Nita of Cambridge, three nieces, Pam Wingate, Kim Kennedy and Michelle "Shelly" Messick, five nephews, Greg Robinson, Kevin Robinson, David Messick, Bucky Hodde and Britt Hodde. Also surviving are several great nieces and great nephews, two cousins, Helen L. Webb and Russell "Muzz" Messick. A funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon at the Thomas Funeral Home in Cambridge with the Rev. Fred Bahr officiating. Interment followed at Dorchester Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. Doris Weber, 5163 Maple Dam Road, Cambridge, MD 21613 or to the Dorchester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 132, Cambridge, MD 21613. Pallbearers were Bucky Hodde, Britt Hodde, Greg Robinson, Kevin Robinson, David Messick, Mike Haring, Donnie Haring and Vernon Webb, Jr.