Mary Elizabeth Willingham

Mary Elizabeth Willingham, 76, of La Plata, MD passed away on October 3, 2019 at her home.

Born in Washington, DC on February 16, 1943 to the late John E. Buckley and the late Elizabeth C. Buckley, she is also predeceased by her husband, William R. Willingham; brothers, Peter Buckley and Christopher Buckley; sisters, Theresa Buckley and Susan Tileston; and grandchildren, Sharon Sams and Kenny Fryer.  Mary is survived by her brothers, Joe (Alice) Buckley, Patrick (MaryEllen) Buckley and Timothy (Annmarie) Buckley; sister, Catherine (Howard) Lewis; daughters, Barbara Culp and Carolyn (Jim) Maguire; sons, William M. Willingham and John (Alice) Willingham; and grandchildren, William (Melissa) Sams, Sandra (Richie) Myers, Sarah Culp (Richard Blueford), Kelly Lambert, Frank (Wendy) Willingham; Bridget (Miguel) Lopez and Jennifer (Patrick) Johnson; great-grandchildren, Camryn, Sean, Devin, Hunter, Hannah, Kayla, Justin, Savannah and Brayden.

 Mary graduated from Gwynn Park High School and attended Strayer College and the College of Southern Maryland.  She was employed by J.C. Penney Co., W&W Fabrication, and C&P Telephone Co.  Mary was a Girl Scout Leader, Girl Scout Cookie Chairman and a member of the Sodality at Sacred Heart Church and a volunteer at the Clark’s Center in La Plata, MD.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking/baking, roller skating, sewing, camping and traveling.

The family will receive friends at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, PA (211 St. Mary’s Ave., La Plata, MD) on October 10, 2019 from 2PM to 4PM and from 6PM to 8PM; A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (201 St. Mary’s Ave., La Plata, MD) on October 11, 2019 at 10AM; Interment to follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens (3221 Mattawoman-Beantown Rd., Waldorf, MD).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Sacred Heart Catholic Church (201 St. Mary’s Ave., La Plata, MD), the Diabetes Association (2541 Crystal Dr., #900, Arlington, VA 22202 or www.donations.diabetes.org).  Online condolences to the family can be shared at arehartechols.com.

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