Catherine Marie Deems

CATHERINE MARIE DEEMS Catherine Marie Deems nee Catherine Brown, Catherine Wilson, 75, of Owings Mills, MD, passed away on Sunday, April 13th, 2008 at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore following a brief illness. The youngest of four, she was born in Wilmington, DE, on September 17th, 1932 to the late Charles John and Laura Mae Blackson Brown. She was a devoted daughter and loving sister. She graduated from Newark High School and was married to Edward Collings Wilson of Elk Neck, MD for 23 years. She lived in Charlestown, Churchville, and Darlington during those years. Catherine was deeply committed to her children from that marriage – Ruth, Mary, and Matthew. Her second marriage was to Irwin Walter Deems for 20 years – until his death in 1995, during which time she lived in Edgewood, Fallston, and Stuttgart, Germany. She relocated to Atrium Village Retirement Community in Owings Mills in 2005. There she met and married her current partner of two years, Edward Rasmussen. He greatly enriched her life and was a devoted and loving companion. She served our country proudly as a civilian for the Department of the Army for over 33 years. Her unparalleled career lead from clerk/typist to Senior Management Analyst, serving at Aberdeen Proving Ground, the Pentagon and Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany. She specialized in developing efficiencies in military training procedures, testing of military equipment and procedures and improving military base protocols. She was a highly regarding team member in all work environments and received 36 awards and commendations during that time. Catherine was devoted to her faith, community service and helping others. She was a valued member of the Fallston Lion's Club, and Toastmaster's International, and she volunteered at numerous hospitals and nursing homes. She authored a care-givers guide, Alzheimer's Disease – Up Close and Personal, published in 2005. She is survived by her partner: Edward Rasmussen, her children: Ruth Erin Cazares and husband Joe Cazares of Panama City, Panama, Mary Catherine McLean and husband David McLean of St. Augustine, FL and Matthew Edward Wilson and wife Patricia Wilson of Muddy Creek Forks, PA, her step-daughter Deborah Stathes and husband Chris Stathes of Havre de Grace, MD and ex-husband Edward Wilson. In addition she is survived by four grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and many additional relatives and friends. Memorial contributions can be made to the Lion's Club International of Fallston, P.O. Box 572, Fallston, MD 21047. Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, April 17, 2008 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, MD. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary Anne's Episcopal Church, 315 South Main Street, North East, MD, with interment to follow in the church cemetery.