Mary Hancock Tweedie was born in Washington DC on March 3, 1941, the second of eight children of Relmond (Sam) and Mary Watts Hancock. She grew up in Silver Spring, Md and graduated from Sacred Heart Acadamy in Washington. After graduation she worked for the National Catholic Welfare Conference. She went on to work for a member of the US Congress for a number of years.. After marrying and having three children she went back to work in the University of Maryland’s Physics Laboratory, then on to the government affairs departments of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the ALCOA Company.
A life-long passionate and dedicated gardener she became a Master Gardener and interned at the US Botanic Garden, The Hillwood Estate and the US National Arboretum. Upon moving to Broomes Island, MD with her husband StClair Tweedie in 1999 she became a member of the Calvert Garden Club, started a book club and was active in various church and community related activities. She was a devoted member of St John Vianney Catholic Church in Prince Frederick. Mary had a curious and lively mind. Interested in the arts, education, Medicine she even took a “mini” med school course at Georgetown University.
Mary battled cancer for more than fifteen years before her death at home in the care of Hospice of Calvert County. She is survived by her three children – Kurt Masse, Michelle (Mimi) Masse and Camille Lynch and her brothers James, Joseph, Patrick, Michael, Keith and Kevin and sister Theresa.
Mary would be most honored by those who would make a donation to Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington DC. These humble, gentle, very strong women are on the front lines of aid, love and service to our most vulnerable fellows.