Judy Anne Cooley of Germantown, MD passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones on April 1, 2024. Judy, age 59, was born on July 17, 1964, in Gaithersburg, MD to the late Tommy L. Mason and Roxie E. Mason. 

Judy was a beloved Wife, Mother, Nana, Sister, and friend who was loved by everyone she met. She is survived by her devoted husband of 29 years, Roger H. Cooley Sr. as well as her loving children - daughter Kristen Miles and husband Ryan Miles, son Roger Cooley Jr. and wife Mariel Cooley, daughter Barbara Cooley-Hasemi and husband Justin Hasemi, and their loving family dog Lucky Carter Cooley. Judy’s legacy lives on through her cherished grandchildren Mason & Emma Miles as well as her grand-pup Murphy Cooley. She is also survived by her sister Nancy Freeze and husband John Freeze, her brother Terry Mason and wife Monica Mason in addition to many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Judy is preceded in death by her mother Roxie E. Mason, her father Tommy L. Mason, brother Tommy Mason, brother Jimmy Mason, mother-in-law Barbara Cooley, father-in-law Charles Cooley Sr., as well as several brothers-in-law, Aunts and Uncles. 

Judy enjoyed running the family business - Black Rock Stone Co. - with her husband and was well known for her early career at Elf Preschool where she met some wonderful people who quickly became friends. As her children grew older, Judy was very involved in their extracurricular activities and became a very involved parent at Northwest High School where she was always eager to volunteer and fulfill her time within the community. 

Judy was known for her unwavering love and devotion to her family. Her warmth, kindness, and gentle spirit touched the lives of all who knew her. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with family & friends, watching football, and was always up for an adventure. She loved spending the summers close to the beach and enjoyed playing bingo! Judy's memory will forever remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 4th from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Hilton Funeral Home located at 22111 Beallsville Rd, Barnesville, MD 20838.

A celebration of Judy's life will be held on Friday, April 5th at 11:00am at Cedarbrook Community Church located at 23700 Stringtown Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871. Directly following service, we will proceed to Monocacy Cemetery located at 19801 W Hunter Rd, Beallsville, MD 20839 for a graveside burial. To conclude the burial, we will return to Cedarbrook Community Church for a luncheon.

Though Judy has left this earthly realm, her love and light will continue to shine brightly through the lives she has touched. May she rest in peace.

James “Jim” Shiflet (72) passed away surrounded by family on March 28, 2024, at his home in Washington Grove, Maryland. 

Jim was born at home in Triangle, Virginia in 1951 to William and Margaret Shiflet. With his siblings, Sandy, Joyce, Artie, Bill, and Mary, Jim grew up in a lively household filled with love. His family eventually moved to Maryland, where he met lifelong friends. 

After serving in the military, Jim began a career in the building industry. There, he met his wife of 43 years, Ann Shiflet. He also found his work family, where, like in his childhood, there were pranks and laughter.  

An outdoorsman, Jim enjoyed fishing, camping, hiking, and cruising (first on his motorcycles, and later on his bicycle). He could often be found on his deck catching up with family, friends, and neighbors, and was always ready to offer a hand to someone who needed it – or to offer a good story. He loved the Outer Banks, North Carolina, where he took summer family vacations and fall fishing trips.

Blessed with a large family, Jim is survived by his wife Ann; his children, Lisa (Mark), Kate (Kevin), and Sarah (Adam); his siblings, Sandy, Artie, Bill, and Mary; his grandchildren; multiple siblings in-law; and his many extended family members. 

A celebration of life is being planned for Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Memorial donations may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.

Karen M. Lawless of Stevensville, MD passed away surrounded by loving family on March 29, 2024.  Karen, age 71, was born on April 18, 1952 in Cairo, Egypt to the late Deaner K. Lawless, Sr. and Margaret C. Lawless.  

She was loved by everyone she met.  She is survived by her loving partner of 50 years, Donald L. Fink as well as two brothers and one sister:  Deaner K. Lawless, Jr, wife Sheila; James A. Lawless, wife, Janet; Jeanne M. Snyder, husband, Ells; sister-in-laws:  Virginia Pearson and Cathy Mcferren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and nephews.  

Karen’s personality was pure Sunshine and she put Sunshine into everyone’s life that she touched.  Her career included 40 years of sales at Asbury Methodist Home in Gaithersburg, MD where she was honored Sales Person of the year several times.  She loved what she did and found it hard to retire.  After her retirement, Don and she relocated to a home overlooking the Chesapeake Bay where she continued to persue the things that she loved the most. Her interests included photography, graphic and interior design, home remodeling, reading, puzzles, creative sewing, travel and spoiling family.  She has been to all of the U.S. states and Canada. The last couple of years, she enjoyed cruises to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Panama Canal and Virgin Islands.  The next adventure that she was planning was to return to the shadows of the Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt where she was born.  Her Sunshine will continue to be bright forever and never forgotten.  

The family will be receiving friends from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Friday, April 12th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 18230 Barnesville, MD, where a Mass will follow at 5:00 PM said by Father Val, lifelong friend and priest.  

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  

William “Bill” Donald Blinkhorn Jr., 75, of Dickerson, MD, passed away on April, 7th, 2024.  Born on August 13, 1948, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late William Donald Blinkhorn Sr. and Edith Marie Blinkhorn.

He is survived by his wife, Judy A. Fling, his sons, Russell W. Blinkhorn, Kenneth B. Blinkhorn, daughter in-law Kelly Blinkhorn, and his four grandchildren, Kole, Wyatt, Kenley, and Cassidy Blinkhorn. Additionally, Bill is survived by his sister Patricia Lynn Netter and her husband Christopher, and was predeceased by his brothers, Timothy Joseph Blinkhorn, and Michael Raymond Blinkhorn.

Bill attended both Wheaton and Good Counsel High Schools. Professionally, he worked as a Master Electrician for Dyna Electric for over 30 years as a member of the IBEW Local 26 and later worked for the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission for the last 10 years of his career before retiring.

A Navy veteran, Bill will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and mentor. He was always passionate about his pursuits and interests throughout his life, but he was happiest with his family and grandchildren. Among the many activities he enjoyed in his spare time, he loved working on his hot rods, attending antique car shows, and participating in civil war reenactments as a bass drummer. He was a member of the 2nd Maryland Fifes and Drums and was also a proud member and bagpiper with the Montgomery County Firefighters Pipes and Drums. Bill was loved dearly by all that knew him and will be deeply missed and remembered by those that he left behind.

The family will be holding a private funeral at Hilton Funeral Home, 22111 Beallsville Road, Barnesville, MD, followed by a celebration of life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in his name to Lewy Body Dementia Association. https://www.lbda.org/donate/

Ruth Smallwood Sweet (she/they), 68, of Gaithersburg, MD, passed away on April 5, 2024.  Born on July 25, 1955 in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late James Machen and Iva (Woodward) Smallwood. Ruth was predeceased by her sister Annie McLoughlin. She is survived by her adoring husband, Mark Sweet (whom she also adored); her two daughters, Haley and L. Sweet, whom she loved very much; her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Roth; her brother, Robert Smallwood; her brother-in-law, Jim Sweet; and her mother-in-law, Betty Sweet. Ruth is also survived by a large chosen family—some of whom considered her a mother—and a community of beloved friends.  

 

Ruth was a whirlwind. She was known in her church (Darnestown Presbyterian), amongst dog trainers (Breakaway Action Dogs), and her many peers and communities for her boundless energy and endless curiosity. She offered a font of warmth, care and love to those around her, and was a firebrand when provoked. Ruth was an avid reader, loved science fiction, and loved to tell a story and share a laugh. She loved coffee, and hated fascists.

 

Ruth was a mentor and leader in her church. One person referred to her as "the resident theologian" because of her deep knowledge and embodied practice of her faith.  She went back to school as an adult and completed a B.A with a double major in Philosophy and Theology from Hood College in 2014. Before she developed Glioblastoma, she was working on a post-baccalaureate certificate in Spiritual Formation through the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Ruth was an award-winning dog trainer and worked as a dog training instructor at Breakaway Action Dogs (BAD). She always liked to say that she was all about “God, and God spelled backwards.” 

 

The family will be receiving friends on Friday, April 12th, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Hilton Funeral Home, 22111 Beallsville Rd, Barnesville, MD 20838. The family will also be receiving friends from 11:30 AM -12:30 PM, on Saturday, April 13th, at the Darnestown Presbyterian Church, 15120 Turkey Foot Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, where a funeral service will begin at 12:30 PM. The burial will take place in the church cemetery, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Trevor Project or GLSEN.