Mary Rita Dean, 75, of Hollywood, MD passed away on Friday, August 29, 2014 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Born June 28, 1939 in Leonardtown, MD and was the daughter of the late Francis Edgar Abell and Margaret M. Graves Abell.

Mary Rita was affectionately known by many as "Maw Maw." She attended Our Lady's School in Medley's Neck and St. Mary's Academy in Leonardtown, MD. On February 23, 1957, she married her beloved husband, Francis Levi Dean, Sr. Together they celebrated 33 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in April 1990.

She began her career as a nurse's aide at St. Mary's Hospital, and after 40 years of dedicated service she retired working in the Respiratory Department. The lifelong friendship and love she shared with her dedicated co-workers is a testament to the beautiful person she was.

She also lived in Winterseat Community in Hollywood, MD for over 30 years, where she shared the same love and friendship with her neighbors, who always looked after each other. Her hobbies included flower gardening, canning, attending BINGO, cheering on the Orioles, trips to the casino, and her Thursday card game. She also loved to cut grass. However, her greatest love was for her family, whom she enjoyed spending her time with.

Mary Rita is survived by her children, Francis Levi "Buster" Dean, Jr. (Laura) of Hollywood, MD, Robin E. Finley of Great Mills, MD, David R. Dean (Kathy) of Hollywood, MD, Donna K. Miedzinski (Mike) of Hollywood, MD, Donald R. Dean (Niomi) of Hollywood, MD, and Melvin A. Dean( Lori) of Hollywood, MD; her sisters, Emily Ann Owens (Joseph) of Mechanicsville, MD and Frances M. Lorence (Melvin of St. Inigoes, MD; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and her dearest friends Charles "Snookie" and Shirley Miedzinski, Emery and Barbara Lawrence, and Dave and Barbara Hostetler.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is also preceded in death by her brothers, Joseph Franics Abell and Charles E. Abell; and her sister, Margaret Mary Mulvey.

Family will receive friends for Mary Rita's Life Celebration on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., with prayers recited at 7:00 p.m., at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Raymond Schmidt on Thursday, September 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, 43927 St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD 20636. Interment will follow at Charles Memorial Gardens in Leonardtown, MD.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jimbo Burroughs, Roger Burroughs, Jimmy Hayden, Melvin Lorence, Joe Owens, and C.P. Miedzinski. Honorary pallbearers will be Snookie Miedinski and Mary Rita's grandchildren, Ryan Dean, Kristen Riley, Dallas Dean, Julie Bushell, Derek Dean, Ashley Dean, Christopher Dean, Jonathan Dean, Kelsey Dean, and Deanna Finley.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650; St. John's Catholic Church, 43927 St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD 20636, and Meals on Wheels, C/O St. Mary's County Department of Aging, P.O. Box 655, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

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