Lelia M. Panowitz

LELIA M. PANOWITZ, age 54, of Bel Air, MD, died at her home on December 26, 2002 after a valiant 5-year battle with colon-rectal/liver cancer. Born April 17, 1948 in Norfolk, Virginia, she was the daughter of Gloria Gilden McDonald of Virginia Beach, Virginia and the late Walter Franklin McDonald. She worked as a public school teacher for Harford County from 1985 to present at the Bel Air Middle School. Prior to that she was at Highlandtown Elementary School in Baltimore CIty from 1970-74. She moved to Baltimore in 1962 and graduated from Eastern High School in Baltimore in 1966. She received her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Towson State College (University) in 1970 and was recertified as a secondary math teacher in 1984-85.

An avid basket maker, she enjoyed baskets with very intricate designs and giving them as gifts. She collected miniature houses, including Dept 56, Sheila’s, Cat’s Meow, and any that she just found interesting or attractive. She enjoyed decorating, especially wallpapering and stenciling. Her handiwork can be seen throughout Bel Air as well as in her own home. She was a member of the Bel Air Jaycees Wives from 1974-84, and the Mid-Atlantic Thunderbird Club with her husband since 1978 and held various offices including Secretary of International Thunderbird Club (national club) from 1999- 2001. She was active in church, PTA, school and neighborhood association activities. She was the co-owner of Automotive Collectibles, a hobby business specializing in miniature police and other vehicles with her husband. She enjoyed live theatre, walks on the beach, and driving with the top down. She was a great cook, phenomenal teacher, caring mother, devoted wife and everlasting friend.

In addition to her mother, Mrs. Panowitz is survived by her husband, Edward A. “Skip” Panowitz, whom she married on August 9, 1969; one son, Scott Eric Panowitz and his wife, Allison Winter Panowitz of Bel Air; one daughter, Kara Lynne Panowitz of Bel Air; two sisters, Annette McDonald Widen, her husband, David, and children Chelse and Katie, of Chesapeake, Virginia; Pamela McDonald Cox, her husband, David, and children Zach and Jacey, of Goode, Virginia; brother-in-law, David J. Panowitz his wife, Debbie, and children Suzanne and Karen of Bel Air, Maryland; mother-in-law, Dorothy T. Panowitz of Bel Air, MD; and brother-in-law Harvey Panzer of Timonium, MD. In addition to her father, she was predeceased by a sister, Wanda McDonald Panzer.