Theresa Mcelfresh Trail Mathias Michel

Theresa McElfresh Trail Mathias Michel, known as Treta, of Frederick, MD and Delray Beach, FL died on Nov. 8 at age 98 at her family home on Court Square in Frederick. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Frederick attorney and US Navy Commander (Ret.) Glenn Carlyle Michel and son, Frederick Mathias Michel. She was the daughter of the late Charles McCurdy Mathias, Sr. and Theresa McElfresh Trail Mathias and middle child between her brothers, the late MD U.S. Senator Charles McCurdy Mathias, Jr. and Edward Trail Mathias.

Born August 6, 1926, Treta grew up in close-knit Frederick surrounded by a loving family. After graduating from Bryn Mawr College in 1948 with an English degree and a wealth of friends, she worked as a research analyst with the Army Signal Corps at Arlington Hall, for Naval Intelligence, and as a case officer for the Central Intelligence Agency. She maintained enduring friendships with her remarkable colleagues throughout her life. Her work and European, Asian, and US travels created a life-long interest in world affairs and a spirit for adventure.

She and her husband, a naval aviator, lived in Florida and Washington, DC until his retirement from service. In 1965, her family moved back to Frederick where she served as President of the Historical Society of Frederick County and Garden Club of Frederick, Trustee of the MD Historical Trust, Board member of the Episcopal Orphan House (EOH) Scholarship Fund, and a realtor. In these roles, she helped preserve local historic places including the Beatty-Cramer House, Ceresville Mansion, and L’Hermitage farm, now part of the Monocacy National Battlefield.

Throughout her 98 years, she read and traveled extensively, thrived on deeply held friendships, enjoyed more than 80 summers at Rehoboth Beach, maintained an exacting knowledge of Frederick County history, and kept her wit and fabulous sense of humor to the end.

Survivors are her daughter, Theresa Trail Michel of Frederick, her nephews and great- nieces of Washington and Baltimore. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 23 at 11:00 a.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 106 W Church St., Frederick, with interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Should one wish to remember her, Treta asked that gifts be made to the EOH Scholarship Fund, which supports college expenses for Frederick County students, at P.O. Box 3401, Frederick, MD 21705.