Dorma Ashley Dealing

Mrs. Dorma Ashley Dealing, 88 of Middletown, MD., died Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital. She was the wife of the late Francis A. Dealing, who preceded her in death in 1992.

She was born on July 2, 1921 in Quantico, VA the daughter of the late Julian M. and Hazel Casteel Ashley. They traveled extensively due to her father's military career. She attended 21 schools in her lifetime including a one room school in Spring Gap, MD. She graduated from Greenbelt High School in 1938 at the age of 16. She did office work for the school until she was old enough to join the Marine Corps. Her father, then a sergeant in the Marine Corps, was her recruiting officer and swore her in. She was among the first group of Women Marines and was trained in quartermaster/supply duties. She also worked as a recruiter. She served 3 years active duty, then went on to work as a civilian employee for the Marine Corps, eventually retiring in 1977, having served 34 years. During her time in the Corps, she met and married Francis A. (Frank) Dealing and had 2 daughters Linda and Virginia. She moved to Forestville, MD and lived in the same home for 51 years. During this time she was quite active in the Forestville VFD Ladies Auxiliary. She was an active member for 45 years continuing long after her husband's death. She also became a Volunteer in Police Service for the Maryland State Police doing fingerprinting among other duties. In 2000 she moved to Frederick and lived in Crestwood Village, a retirement community. Just after Christmas 2006, she moved in with her daughter, Virginia, in Middletown. She joined AMVETS Post #9 and began forging new friendships in the community. An avid reader, she joined the Middletown Library. She also made her famous bookmarks and generously shared them. She was also a member of the MD State Ambulance and Rescue Assoc., the IRECA, American Legion Post #318 in Forestville, the Free State Marine Corps League in Bowie, MD and was a longtime member of the Goodsam Motor Home Club.

She is survived by two daughters Linda D. Gibson and husband Major General Emmitt E. Gibson, U.S. Army Ret. of Mt. Airy, MD and Virginia Lewis of Middletown, three grandchildren Robert J. Matusek, Michael A. Matusek and fiance Kara Siedling of Frederick and Tech/Sgt. Matthew E. Lewis, U.S.A.F. and his wife Tech/Sgt. Renee Lewis, U.S.A.F. of Georgia, two great grandchildren Robert M. Matusek and Mason A. Matusek and many nieces and nephews. She will also be fondly remembered by Angelina Purscelley, Ken and Debbie Gamache and Gary and Chris Preston. She was preceded in death by two brothers Lynn Ashley and Edward Ashley and her half sister Lucille Cole.

Visitation: The family will receive friends at the Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick on Monday, July 20, from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Services: Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 21, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to AMVETS Post #9, Middletown, MD or Forestville V.F.D. Ladies Auxiliary, Forestville, MD.