Lucile Robinson Close

LUCILE ROBINSON CLOSE, age 88, of Bel Air died on December 19, 2005. She was born Mary Lucile Robinson on February 10, 1917, the daughter of the late Judge John A. Robinson and Mary Lucile Robinson. Her mother died shortly after her birth and she was raised by her maternal grandparents, Thomas H. and Clara C. Robinson. Her grandfather was a state senator from Harford County and was the Attorney General of Maryland.

They lived on Broadway where Lucile would skate on the slate sidewalks with her good friends. She was a fortunate as a child to be able to travel with her grandparents. She crossed the Atlantic on the liner “Berengaria” to visit England and France and also toured Canada. Later in life, Mrs. Close revisited Europe with her husband, where they went to see the Passion play at Oberammergau, and took trips to Hawaii and to Ireland. She also enjoyed vacations to the beach, particularly Ocean City, MD. She and her husband traveled down the Inter-Coastal Waterway and they took a cruise on the “QE2”.

She was educated in Bel Air at St. Margaret School and Bel Air High School. She graduated summa cum laude from St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg, MD. Mrs. Close worked as a social worker in Baltimore and as a teacher at Aberdeen High School before marrying the late Judge Albert P. Close, Sr., her spouse of fifty-seven years. Throughout her life, she maintained her friendships from Bel Air and college, attending her St. Joseph’s reunions.

She had many community interests. She helped initiate a program that brought performing art groups to Harford County schools, was a member of the Harford County Garden Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoyed swimming, reading, writing and eating oysters and soft shell crabs. She introduced many family members to the tomato aspic and the chicken salad sandwiches at the Women’s Industrial Exchange. She often was the ghostwriter for her husband’s many speeches, which he would read the night before, always approve them, and give them the next day.

She was a devout Catholic, a lifelong member of St. Margaret Church, and played an integral role in establishing the library at St. Margaret School. She was a volunteer at the school for many years and was president of the Sodality Club. She produced “Information Gathered and Presented at the 50th Anniversary of St. Margaret School”, in 1961, one of the sources for James Chrismer’s St. Margaret’s Church 1905-2005 100th Anniversary. She was also a source for a history of Saint Ignatius Church. One of the highlights of her later years was seeing Pope John Paul II at Camden Yards.

Mrs. Close is survived by eight children: Albert P. Close, Jr., Clare C. Miller, Geoffrey R. Close, James A. Close, Mary C. Hatter, Jane C. Levering, Thomas S. Close, Sr., and Robert W. Close; six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Albert P. Close Foundation, Inc., 139 N. Main Street, Suite 201, Bel Air, MD 21014.