E. Beatrice Holland, 100

SECRETARY, Md. - E. Beatrice Holland (Miss Bea), 100, of Secretary, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009. at the Chesapeake Woods Center, where she had been since December 31. She was born on Nov. 10, 1908, the only daughter of Wilbur and Cecelia Lonis of Columbus, Ohio. She earned a nursing degree in 1930, from White Cross Hospital in Columbus and a B.S. degree in education from Ohio State University in 1936. Her career quickly moved from that of RN to director/supervisor of nurses at various teaching hospitals in the Northeast. In 1939, while working as assistant supervisor of nursing at a hospital in Hagerstown, Md., she met the love of her life, William M. Holland who had been born and raised in Secretary, Md. They were married the next year in Hagerstown and two years later located to Annapolis, Md., where their two daughters were born. In 1950, they moved to the Eastern Shore where Beatrice joined the hospital administration team which opened Deer's Head Hospital in Salisbury, Md., which is now the center for Coastal Hospice. The next year she launched her career in elementary education. In 1957, the family moved to Dover, Del., where Beatrice joined the teaching staff of the Caesar Rodney School District in Camden, Del., until her retirement in 1971. During her 14-year tenure in that district, she earned a M.S. in education from the University of Delaware, taught various grade levels in each of the district's elementary schools, was selected as "Teacher of the Year," and was active in the county (KCEA) and state (DSEA) teacher organizations holding offices in each. In 1971, both Beatrice and her husband retired from teaching and relocated to their weekend retreat property on Hooper's Island, Md., where they resided until 1983. She occasionally taught (as substitute) at the Hooper's Island school which is now "Old Salty's" restaurant and attended St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church. In 1983, she and her husband moved to Secretary, Md., where they built their home on the very site of Bill's place of birth and enjoyed seven years together until his death in July 1990. After her husband's death, Beatrice became more active in her church and community. Those involvements included: becoming an Eucharistic Minister for Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and helping with church activities, actively working as a volunteer for Dorchester County Hospice (which is now part of Coastal Hospice), and volunteering at Warwick Elementary School. She also enjoyed tending her flower gardens, becoming a rather good amateur artist, and going on daily adventures with her many friends. In 1995 she was recognized as the "Outstanding Senior Citizen" by the North Dorchester JC's. Beginning in 2002 she experienced that joy of becoming a great-grandmother four times. Since 2000, she has been with her daughter, Judy, living in Secretary and at her daughter's cottage on Hooper's Island. She is survived by daughter, Margaret Holland Stoddart and son-in-law Charles of Orchard Park, N.Y.; daughter, Judy L. Holland of Secretary and Hooper's Island; grandson, William L. Stoddart (Heidi); twin great-grandsons, Torrin and Wyatt; grandson, John P. Stoddart (Amy); great-grandson and daughter, Zackary and Grace Marie all of Bozeman, Mont.; and sister-in-law, Margaret Holland Chance of Rock Hall, Md. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Secretary. Interment will be private. There will be no after mass reception (a celebration/reception was held in June in honor of "Miss Bea's 100th year). Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, P. O. Box 279, Secretary, MD 21664 or to the St. Mary Star of the Sea Foundation, c/o Mrs. Sara Applegarth, P. O. Box 187, Fishing Creek, MD 21634. Arrangements were entrusted to Thomas Funeral Home, P A., in Cambridge.