Marion H. Pelton

MARION HENRIETTA PELTON, age 95, of Lutherville, MD, died on May 8, 2007 at Bel Air Health and Rehabilitation, Bel Air, MD. Born on January 7, 1912 in Erie, PA, the fifth of six children, she was the daughter of the late Joseph L. and Ada K. Hogan Pelton. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from State Teachers College, Edinboro, PA, with a “specialty in Kindergarten-Primary curriculum”, 1934; Master of Arts in Governments with a major in Vocational Counseling, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, November 11, 1947. Additional course work was completed at University of Pittsburgh, Erie, PA, Columbia University, New York, NY and at Pennsylvania State College, State College, PA. She taught grammar school in Erie, PA from 1934-1943; served in the Woman’s Army Corps from 1943-1945; worked as a Psychologist for the Norfolk Regional Consultation Service, Norfolk, VA from 1947-1949; was a Vocational Guidance Counselor at Annapolis Junior High, Annapolis, MD from 1949-1954; and was one of the first School Psychologist’s in the Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore County, MD, serving from 1954 until her retirement in June of 1973. She served in the Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps from January 26, 1943 until August 31, 1943 and then in the WAC with the U.S. Army from September 1, 1943 until honorably discharged on December 16, 1945. During that time she served as a Classification Specialist and a Clerk Typist and did “Military Intelligence work of a confidential nature” at the Pentagon, as well as working at a Reception Center with both incoming recruits and those being separated from the Army. She also counseled personnel on problems facing returning veterans. While in the military, the Honors she received included the American Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the WAAC Service Ribbon. She has been a resident of Harford County since November 1993 when she moved to Rock Spring Village Assisted Living, and then later moved to Bel Air Health and Rehabilitation. She has resided there since September of 1994 and has been loved by all who have known and worked with her there. Miss Pelton was an avid reader until late in her life. She also was a bird watcher and loved sailing with friends on the Chesapeake Bay. Following her retirement, she traveled to Hawaii on two occasions to study meditation techniques and other non-traditional forms of higher consciousness raising. For many years she attended weekly healing services at Mt. Washington Methodist Church in Baltimore.

Ms. Pelton is survived by two nieces, Doreen Foley of Ukiah, CA and Penny Lane of Silver Spring, NV; two nephews, Don Pelton of Mountain View, CA and Allan Pelton of Ramona, CA; and was cared for dearly by her loving co-worker, Patricia Turner.

Contributions may be sent to American Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter, Northeastern District, 4700 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD 21215.