Marguerite W. Strzegowski

HOOPERSVILLE - Marguerite W. Strzegowski, 78, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge.

Born on April 11, 1928, in Hoopersville, Dorchester County, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin R. and Lessie Brannock Rippons and stepdaughter of William "Doc" Rippons.

Before World War II, her family moved to Baltimore. She graduated from Patterson High School in Baltimore.

In 1946, she married Albert L. Strzegowski Sr. He died in 1986.

Marge and her late husband founded Al's Seafood of Fells Point in 1964. As the business grew business chains of Al's Seafood became established at Essex in 1976 and in Overlea in 1977. In 1982 Al's Seafood in Essex expanded with a restaurant. In 1996 Marge retired, but the businesses are operated by the family.

Her hobby was ceramics but she was mostly well known for her personality and fun.

She treasured her Hoopers Island heritage and became active in her community of Fells Point where she lived for much of her life. A Democrat, she was a quiet supporter of the Democratic Party.

Mrs. Strzegowski was one of the originators of the Fells Point Fun Festival where she served on the events chairmanship committee. She also was a member of the Fells Point Preservation Society.

She had received several proclamations from the State of Maryland, Baltimore City and Baltimore County governments and Chamber of Commerce for her civic and business contributions through the years.

When tragedy struck her family with the loss of her grandson, Zachary, she wanted to create a way to keep Zachary's memory alive by supporting the children of Fells Point at Christmastime by arranging Santa Claus arriving by boat with Christmas gifts for the children. She continued this project until her health began to fail.

Surviving are four children: Albert L. Strzegowski Jr. and his wife, Judy of Baltimore, Dennis J. Strzegowski and his wife, Mary of Stevensville, William J. Stregowski and his wife, Debbie of Baltimore, Maryann Czawlytko of Hoopersville; a brother, Irving Rippons and his wife, Isabelle of Fishing Creek; eight grandchildren: Andrea, Joshua, Chad, Will, D.J., Matt, Kimberly and Cara Strzegowski; a great-grandson, Peyton Strzegowski and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death besides her parents, stepfather and husband were a daughter, Eleanora Strzegowski; a grandson, Zachary Strzegowski; two sisters, Nellie Rippons and Gertrude Rippons; four brothers, Willard Rippons, Chandus T. Rippons Sr., Eugene Rippons and Herbert "Joe" Rippons.

The family will receive friends today from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Curran-Bromwell Funeral Home, P.A., Cambridge. The family will also receive friends Wednesday, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Lilly and Zeiler Funeral Home, 1901 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, where a Christian Wake Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 6400 E. Pratt St., Baltimore. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery, Baltimore.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Joshua, Chad, Will, D.J., and Matt Strzegowski and family friend, Jason Windsor.

Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Andrea, Cara, Kimberly, Amy, Kim and Annie Strzegowski.