Lydia Welford Yowaiski Unkle, 99, of St. Inigoes, MD died April 4, 2014, at Taylor Farms Assisted Living in Bushwood, MD. She was born on Jutland Farm on November 9, 1914 in St. Inigoes, MD to the late Frank Tompkins Abell and Edith Morris Abell.

Lydia graduated from Salisbury State Normal School in 1934 and began her career as a teacher in one-room school houses in St. Mary's County, MD. In 1941 she married Aubrey Yowaiski of Chaptico, MD, and moved to Washington DC where Aubrey was a DC police officer.

She continued her teaching career at Bladensburg Elementary School in the Prince George's County until the birth of her son in 1945. In 1947 she resumed her teaching career and the family moved to Cheverly, MD in 1949. Lydia received her Bachelor's degree in 1951 and her Master's Degree in 1965, both from the University of Maryland. In 1964 she became Principal of Parklawn Elementary School in Landover, MD and continued in that position until her retirement in 1975.

Following Aubrey's death in 1972 and her retirement in 1975, Lydia returned to St. Mary's County in 1980 and restored her family home, Rooke's Lodge. Lydia was an active member of Trinity Parish and served as a docent at St. Mary's City, MD. She was an active member in many organizations including the Ridge Lion's Club, the Episcopal Church Women, the St. Mary's Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the American Association of University Women, and St. Mary's Historical Society.

An avid genealogist, Lydia did extensive research on her family history and traveled extensively around the world. In 1989 she married William Wise Unkle. They resided at Rooke's Lodge where they enjoyed gardening, traveling and visiting with friends and family.

Lydia is survived by her children, Aubrey Stanislaus Yowaiski, Jr. and his wife Lynn of Lexington Park, MD and Deborah Yowaiski Dietrich of Annapolis, MD; and her grandchildren, Michael Tompkins Yowaiski and Robin Marie Yowaiski.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her first husband, Aubrey Stanislaus Yowaiski in 1972; her second husband, William Wise Unkle in 1997; and her siblings, Sarah Frances Mayor, Susan Bennett Kaler, and Richard "Bud" Abell.

Family will receive friends for Lydia's Life Celebration on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with prayers recited by reverend John Ball at 7:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at 11:00 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 47477 Trinity Church Road, St. Mary's City, MD 20686. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 207, St. Mary's City, MD 20686.

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