Our Mother was a record keeper and wrote her biography in 2001 after she moved to Carroll Lutheran Village. She lived a full healthy life.

She was born in Upperco November 29, 1913 to Preston and Goldie Rhoten (Wheeler). Her grand parents were Thomas and Emma Wheeler (Armacost). Mom lived on their farm until she was 5 and they moved to Hampstead. She recalls a swing on the farm and a photo of her in a white fur coat. They bought Harry Hyson's house on Main Street and her parents lived there their entire lives.

A few years later her brother Virgil was born. As a young boy he delivered the Hanover Sun in Hampstead. There are very few pictures from this time as few people had cameras. 

Mom went to Hampstead HS and took the commercial course and liked typing and short hand. She played basketball and volleyball and sang in the Glee Club.She made her white graduation dress.

She met our Dad in 1928 through a girl friend's sister. Leroy T. Wallick was from Littlestown, Pa. but worked in Lancaster and Binghamton, NY so getting together was infrequent. They were married at her parents home in June 1934. They honeymooned in NY visiting Watkins Glen and Harry and Estelle Earnest. Harry had a patent used on rental cars to prevent rolling back odometers.

During the Depression Mom worked in a pants factory sewing. Her ability to sew on a peddle machine allowed her to make her own dresses.

In 1936 our Dad took a job with Koontz Creamery in Pikesville, Md and they moved to Garrison Blvd. At that time her Aunt Ida and Grandmother Emma lived only five blocks away in Forrest Park. They enjoyed being close and visited often. Around this time Dad's Mother taught our Mom to crochet a talent she enjoyed her whole life. Mom did many, many afghans. She also did very fine work that has been framed and exhibited at Carroll Lutheran Village in the art gallery. She was particularly proud of a piece she named her "Masterpiece"!

During WWII Mom worked at Maryland General Hospital as a Victory Nurse. They wore white uniforms and a hat with a "V" on it! She and her fellow nurses took a course to help with patients vital signs and to be company to patients returning from surgery. She claimed to like this very much and regrets not pursuing a career as a nurse. But as she says, "is was not to be".

In 1947 they bought a house in Lochearn moving from their apartment on Garrison Blvd. They had not been able to have children until Mom met someone that gave her advice on a procedure which after it was performed resulted in their first child Bruce. Five years later they were again blessed with their second child, Barry.

Mom's brother Virgil (Peck) lost his wife Rebecca (Wooden) to cancer but later remarried and also lived in Lochearn a few blocks away with Betty who had lost her first husband. They happily combined both families Virgil having one son, Phillip and Betty having two children, Ann and Richard.

Lochearn was a great place for us to grow up. Mom and Dad helped with all the community members to build the Lochearn Swim Club. Mom joined the Welcome Wagon orienting new families moving to the area about it.

In 1968 Mom and Dad bought 20 acres on South Mountain near Camp David and put a small cabin with porch on it right beneath the Appalachian Trail. Many good weekends were spent there.

My father retired in 1974 and they moved back to Hampstead living right behind mom's parents. Mom reconnected with family and childhood friends in Hampstead and again became an active member at St. John's Methodist Church. She was a member of the Woman's Club and the Lebanon Chapter of the Eastern Star. With a large back yard many sports were played and many were entertained to cook outs and home cooked meals.

Mom was a great cook and was interviewed a few times on her recipes for corn bread and corn fritters to name a few. Our Dad passed away in 1982 and Mom lived alone for 16 years before moving to Carroll Lutheran Village in 1998. She belonged to Carroll Seniors and was accompanied there by her good friend Bud Shipley to dance once a week.

Our Mom was blessed in her 17 year residency at CLV. Having graduated in a class of 20 students in 1931, four of those friends were living there also. Mom lived in the residents area for 14 years and was engaged in many crafts and activities. She had a nice porch to see sunsets and many friends to dine with daily.

In 2013 Mom moved to the assisted living Diven House at CLV at the age of 99. The following year we celebrated her 100th birthday with a dinner there for friends relatives and family to enjoy her longevity with her. 

Mom had a great faith and kept verses near her that gave her strength and guidance as the aging process became more evident. Her family has been in constant touch with frequent visits and phone calls for 17 years.

Mom lived with a certain dignity and pride not only in her appearance but her conduct that has taught Barry and I well. She was respected by all and a friend to all. 

She passed away peacefully, quietly and painlessly Thursday evening. This was her wish and ours as well. 

She is our hero and we will miss her but she wanted us all to not mourn for her but to celebrate her life and passing! To this end we are devoted!

Goodbye Mom but you will never be far from our hearts!

"Into thy hands O Lord!"

Peace be with you!

Bruce and Barry and families!