Mary W. Scharf

Mary W. Scharf passed away on September 30, 2021, at the age of 77 in Martinsburg, WV. She had a long history of heart attacks and ultimately kidney failure. She passed away peacefully with her children Todd and Melanie (Jacoby) at her bedside.

Born to Richard and Eleanor (Boring) Smith in Baltimore on October 26, 1943, Mary grew up in the Patterson Park area, and there she met her soul mate Philip. They wed on November 9, 1963. Phil and Mary moved to Glen Burnie in 1968 where they raised their family and cared for Phil’s mother, Ann. She worked at North Arundel Hospital (University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center) for 25 years.

Mary and Phil played a vibrant role in their community, making countless friends and acting as surrogate parents and grandparents to many. Mary loved hosting huge crab feasts and gardening in her back yard. She was active in the Lutheran Church and enjoyed vacationing in Ocean City every year. Over the years, Mary spent many hours watching her children and grandchildren in sports and school activities.

Mary’s sisters Marlene and Clara, and Clara’s husband Bob, lived nearby. They celebrated many holidays and cookouts together, where Mary was famous for her potato salad and coleslaw.

Phil passed away in 2018 and Mary continued to live in Glen Burnie near Melanie, her husband Don, and their children Mark (and fiancé Megan), Allison, and Ty until 2020 when she moved to WV to live with Todd and his wife Kathi. The city girl transitioned well to her new country lifestyle. She helped raise bees, can peaches, and make potpourri and flavored oils using flowers and herbs from the garden.

In WV, she also enjoyed spending more time with granddaughter Jessica, grandson Todd Jr. (TJ), and TJ’s wife Stephanie, as well as her three great-grandchildren, Everly, Weston, and Grayden.

Visitation for Mary will be held at the Kirkley-Ruddick Funeral Home in Glen Burnie on Wednesday, Oct. 6 ^th from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm. On Thursday, Oct. 7 ^th , visitation will be held from 10-11 am with funeral services immediately afterward. Mary will be laid to rest at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Glen Burnie.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County or Wounded Warrior Project .

At bottom of Kirkley-Ruddock listing include the following:

An open house will be held at Melanie’s house immediately after the graveside service and all are welcome.

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