Margaret Hoshall Burch,91 of Leonardtown, MD passed away on January 28, 2009 at St. Mary's Nursing Center in Leonardtown, MD.

Born February 23, 1917 in Freeland, Baltimore County, MD, she was the daughter of the late Bayard Benton and Rosa Kidd Hoshall.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Burch was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Foxwell Burch on August 10, 1987and two sisters; Virginia Huff and Mary Garrett.

She is survived by her children; Chloe Frantz, Margaret (Peggy) Colliflower, Ernest Benton Burch and George Howard Burch, 13 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, siblings; Esther Garrett and Howard Hoshall.

In 1937 Mrs. Burch graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and began her teaching career as one of the seven faculty members at Great Mills High School. She continued her career as supervisor of St. Mary's County's first National School Lunch program. After graduate work at the University of Maryland she became a school counselor and served at Leonardtown School grades 1-12 then 1-8 and finally 6-8. She retired in 1979 and remembered with pride and joy the students who touched her life.

Mrs. Burch served as secretary, treasurer and president of the St. Mary's County Education Association and secretary of the Retired Teacher's Association. For over sixty years she was an active member of St. Paul's Methodist Church. With Bill and Lola Brubacher she organized the first Sunday school program. She also served as president, secretary and treasurer of the United Methodist Women. For many years she was active in the altar guild.

Mrs. Burch, under the leadership of Dr. Martin, co-managed St. Mary's Hospital's first gift shop. She took pride in her faith, family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 5pm to 8pm in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be recited at 7pm. Funeral Services will be conducted on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at 12pm in St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Leonardtown, MD with Pastor Keith Schukraft officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be; Luther Wolfe, Wayne Pettit, George McWilliams, II, DuWayne Potter, Keith Hammett, Frank Taylor, John Hilley, Kyle Olsen, Joe Clarkson and James Hall, Jr.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.