Della G. Bickling, 97

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Della G. Bickling, of Chestertown, died Feb. 1, 2009, in Chester River Manor, Chestertown. She was 97. Mrs. Bickling was born on July 10, 1911, in Locust Grove, daughter of the late Harry R. and Agnes McGuire Gary. She was a graduate of Galena High School and had worked for the A & P Store and Chestertown Bank, both in Chestertown. From 1975 thru 1989 she was the matron of the Wentworth Boarding Home in West Chester, Pa., retiring after 14 years of service. She returned to Kent County where she was a lifetime member of Still Pond United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James O. Bickling in 1950; her sister, Elizabeth McKelvey; and six brothers, Harry, Allie, Arthur, Joseph, Ernest, and Roy Gary. Mrs. Bickling is survived by her son, James Bickling and his wife Margaret of Minneapolis, Minn.; two grandchildren, Laura Ann McConnell and John C. Bickling; two great-granddaughters, Kendra and Kelsey McConnell; and 12 nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday in the Galena Funeral Home of Stephen L. Schaech, 118 W. Cross St. Galena, where friends may call after 10 a.m. Burial in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Smyrna.