In Memory
Thelma Vandegrift (Cooling) - Class Of 1940
| Cecil Whig (Elkton, MD) - January 8, 2009 |
| Deceased Name: Thelma Cooling |
| Thelma Vandegrift Cooling, age 86, of Chesapeake City, MD, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 3, 2009.
Thelma was born on August 27, 1922, in Bucks County, PA, and graduated from Bensalem High School in 1940. In 1988, Thelma was inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame for lettering in four major sports - field hockey, softball, basketball and track & field. During World War II, Thelma worked at Philco Co., making radio-time bombs. For her exceptional production efforts, she was awarded medals and written accolades. During the 1960s and 1970s, Thelma lived in Rochester, NY, with her family and worked as head receptionist for the Fisher Scientific Co. Later, Thelma became lead secretary for Charlotte High School in Rochester, NY. After moving to Chesapeake City in 1976, Thelma became a substitute teacher for Cecil County, MD. For 32 years, Thelma was an active and loving member of Trinity Methodist Church in Chesapeake City where she was known by her church community for her delicious vegetable soup and scrumptious fudge. Besides cooking, Thelma loved and cared for all animals and enjoyed reading. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Richard Webb of Port Deposit, MD; and five grandchildren. She spent her final years with her grandson and his wife, Matthew and Julie Felice, of Chesapeake City. Her other grandchildren include John Cooling, Jr., Krista McCormick and Dana Kemp, of Upstate NY, and Katie St. Landau of Centreville, MD. Thelma is also survived by six great-grandchildren and another one on the way; two brothers, William Vandegrift of Bucks County, PA, and Fred Vandegrift of Doylestown, PA; and four sisters, Doris Lepper of Bucks County, PA, Joan Hutton of Levittown, PA, Mary Tait of Oxford, PA, and Sarah Campbell of Philadelphia, PA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Charles "Duke" Cooling; her son, John C. Cooling, Sr.; three brothers and two sisters. Services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2009, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chesapeake City, MD, where friends may call one hour prior. Burial will follow at Bethel Cemetery in Chesapeake City. Contributions may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church or the Chesapeake City Volunteer Fire Company c/o R. T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., PO Box 27, Chesapeake City, MD 21915. To send condolences, visit: www.rtfoard.com R. T. Foard Funeral Directors & Crematory 410-885-5916 |
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