Dorothy Marie Hess

Dorothy Marie Adams Hess died on April 14, 2010 at Hart Heritage in Street, MD. She was 85. She was born December 4, 1924, the fifth child of James Isaac and Regina Edith Adams. She was the first child to be born at the family's new home in Darlington, MD, after the couple moved from Piney Creek, NC. A close, happy and loving household, the eleven Adams children lost both parents in 1937. Although they had to be separated after their parents' deaths, they remained closely connected throughout their lives, providing each other with abiding love, support, comfort and devotion.

In 1942, she married her husband of 64 years, Wilson G. Hess, who died in 2006. On their family farm in Fallston, MD, she recreated the lively and loving atmosphere of her childhood home, devoting herself to her husband, her three children, her many chores and a long list of friends. Never idle, she took great pride and joy in her work and put her highest priority on doing for others. In good times and bad, she would arrive with one of her famous homemade pies to congratulate or console. With laughter and kindness, she cared for young and old, people and animals, and lived her life according to the Golden Rule her parents taught her.

Mrs. Hess is survived by her children, Emily Hess Humm, and her husband, Edward, of Forest Hill, MD, Dorothy Mae Stearns and her husband, David, of Jarrettsville, MD, and Daniel Hess of Fallston, MD; a brother, Clinton Adams of Darlington, MD, a sister, Edith Jorstad of Fairfax Station, VA; four grandchildren, Brian Humm of State College, PA, Christine Potts of Parkville, MD, Jennifer Gleeson of Relay, MD, and John Stearns of White Hall, MD; and five great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by four brothers and four sisters.

Donations in her honor may be made to the F and CS Adult Day Service, 309 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD 21015.