E. Beatrice Holland

E. Beatrice Holland (Miss Bea), 100, of Secretary, passed away on Tuesday, February 10 at the Chesapeake Woods Center where she ha d been since December 31. She was born on November 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 quickl y 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 , Maryland, she met the love of her life, William M. Holland who had been born and raised in Secretary, Maryland. They were married the next year in Hagerstown and two y ears later located to Annapolis, Maryland 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, Maryland 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 , Delaware where Beatrice joined the teaching staff of the Caesar Rodney School District in Camden , Delaware until her retirement in 1971. During her l4-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, Maryland 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 , Maryland 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 b y daughter Margaret Holland Stoddart and son-in-law Charles of Orchard Park , New York ; daughter Judy L . Holland of Secretary and Hooper ' s Island ; grandson William L . Stoddart (Heidi) and twin great grandsons Torrin and W y att and grandson John P . Stoddart (Amy) and great grandson and daughter Zackary and Grac e Marie all of Bozeman , Montana ; and sister-in-law Margaret Holland Chance of Rock Hall , MD. A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, Februar y 14 ^th at 5:00 pm at Our Lad y of Good Couns e l Catholic Church in Secretary. Interment will be private. There will be no after mass reception ( a celebration / reception was held in June in honor o f " Miss Bea ' s 100 ^th y ear ) . Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church , P. O. Bo x 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.