Mary Shugard

On Saturday, December 24, 2022, Mary Shugard, resident of the Maryland Masonic Home in Cockeysville, passed.  She was the widow of Owen Shugard, and is survived by siblings, Annie Hancock, Jean Lucas, Albert Moss, and his wife, Donna Moss, her children, Elaine Cerminaro, Owen Stephen Shugard and his wife, Leslee Shugard, her grandchildren, Tony Cerminaro, Dominick Cerminaro, and his partner, Jeremias Alvarez, and Tina Ludwig, and great-grandchildren, Luke Cerminaro, Jack Cerminaro, Zoe Cerminaro, Evan Ludwig and Liam Ludwig.  Mary was six days shy of her 101st birthday.

Those who met her, instantly adored her, securing a special place in the hearts of many, from Mississippi, to Washington, D.C., Texas, and Maryland. A devout Christian, Mary taught Sunday School at the Immanuel United Methodist Church in Brandywine, Maryland, for over 20 years.  After relocating to Middletown, Maryland in 1986, she served the church community of Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Myersville.  As member of the Board of Trustees, she spent most Sundays after service passing well wishes down the prayer chain over the phone or visiting members of the church in nursing homes and hospitals.  It was at Mount Zion where she received the Eichelberger Service Award, which recognized her character and tireless commitment to volunteer work.

Mary had a love of gardening, singing hymns, southern cooking, and simply, keeping tabs on the happenings of friends and family.  She was best known for her unwavering optimistic spirit, sincere friendliness, and unapologetic bragging of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She never missed a loved one’s birthday, forgot the college one attended, or the year one was married.  Even at 100, it was likely you might find her parading through the Masonic Homes calling each resident and staff member by name with her cheery, sing-song, “hello.”

A service will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 11:00 at the Maryland Masonic Homes Chapel, 300 International Circle, Cockeysville, Maryland. In lieu of giving flowers, the family asks to instead make a donation to House of Ruth, Baltimore. https://hruth.org/ways-to-give/ or Maryland Masonic Homes https://mdmasonichomes.com/contact-masonic-homes/ .