Hilda Josephine Mowery, 97, of Valley Lee, MD died January 18, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born August 23, 1912 in Ivrea, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Aldo Brando and Marta Airone Bagnoli.

She is survived by her daughter Charlene Mowery-Pizzadili of Callaway, MD as well as five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her son Charles Mowery and her sisters Anita Enrione and Louise Zoccola.

Hilda moved to St. Mary's county in 1952, after previously living in Puerto Rico and Alaska. She owned The Chimney Sweep Company for 50 years, retiring in 2007. She worked as a decoder in Kodiak, AL during the second world war and was also the owner of The Pink Elephant for fifteen years.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 22, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be said at 7:00PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010, in St. George Catholic Church, Valley Lee, MD at 10:00 AM with Msgr. Karl Chimiak officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Second District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.