Lavenia Hargett Marsh

Mrs. Lavenia H. Marsh, 96, a retired Frederick County Home Economics teacher who touched the lives of so many of her students, died Sunday March 6, 2011 after a short illness. Lavenia passed away at the Golden Living Nursing Home in Frederick. Lavenia was born on December 27, 1914, the daughter of the late J. Russel and Grace Culler Hargett. She was the wife of Robert Pierce Marsh that together celebrated their 70th anniversary this past June. Lavenia was raised on the family farm in Feagaville, a small farming community west of Frederick. She attended 1st through 7th grade in a 2-room schoolhouse heated by a coal-burning stove, graduated from Frederick High School in 1932 and was a proud graduate of Hood College in Frederick, in 1936. She remained involved with the alumni association at Hood College throughout the years. Lavenia then received her Dietetic degree from the University of Philadelphia, Pa. and served as Dietician at the Frederick Memorial Hospital from 1938 to 1943. After her three children were of school age, she obtained her teaching degree from the University of Maryland and taught Home Economics at Elm Street Junior High School and Governor Thomas Johnson High School.

Lavenia was a member of the Evangelical Reformed Church, UCC and was a person of great faith and drew strength from her belief in God, her study of the Bible and especially her close church family. Lavenia was well known for her handwritten notes that encouraged, consoled, thanked, celebrated or simply keep in touch with others. Her genuine warm smile, belief in others, humor, positive attitude, sharp memory, spirit and engagement in life were recognized by all. In past years, Lavenia served as an Elder in her church, was a member of DAR, volunteered with the Frederick Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was a member of the PSI Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alumina Association.

In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her sister Grace Grimes of Boonsboro; three children; Linda Marsh, Robert R. Marsh, Sr. and wife Suzanne of Frederick, Janet Johnson and husband Ronald of N.C; 9 grandchildren, Breanne Marsh, Craig Marsh and wife Tara, Aaron Marsh and wife Jennifer, Molly Marsh and fianc Thomas Riley, Stephanie Marsh Bindel and husband Kevin, all of Frederick and Robert R. Marsh Jr. and wife Michelle of Florida; Christina Johnson and husband James, Aimee Jones and husband Wesley and Suzanne Arden and husband Charles, all of N.C. and 13 great-grandchildren.

A service of celebration will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011 at Evangelical Reformed Church located at 15 W. Church Street, Frederick. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 am in the lower level Social room of the Church with the service beginning at 11 am in the Church Sanctuary. The Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel,Pastor of Evangelical Reformed Church, UCC will officiate. A reception will follow the service in the Social room of the church. Private graveside services for the immediate family will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Lavenia's name to Community Living at 620-B Research Court, Frederick, MD 21703 or Evangelical Reformed Church - UCC at 15 W. Church St., Frederick, MD 21701. Arrangements by Keeney & Basford Funeral Home; online condolences may be shared at KeeneyBasford.com