Eliazabeth
Eliazabeth Dunham
d. June 24, 2014
Elizabeth Wahl Dunham, the retired co-owner of an auto repair shop in Potomac, Md., died of heart failure June 24 at Frederick Memorial Hospital. The Jefferson resident was 88.
Born in Washington, D.C., the former Elizabeth Wahl was the daughter of Louis J. Wahl and Louise Cannon Wahl. She grew up working in her parents’ business, the Wahl’s Department Store at 7th and H Streets in NE Washington. She attended the Visitation Academy in Georgetown before marrying Alvin F.X. Dunham in January 1944. After Mr. Dunham returned from serving in World War II with the Army and the Office of Strategic Services, the couple bought a farm in Potomac in 1947.
In 1948 Mr. Dunham opened Dunham’s Motor Service at the corner of Falls and River Roads in Potomac. Mrs. Dunham soon became a full partner in the business. She answered phones, greeted customers, and handled all of the bookkeeping. All four of the Dunhams’ sons also worked in the family business. The Dunhams moved to Top of the Mornin’ Farm in Jefferson, Md., in 1971 but continued to commute to Potomac until they sold the business following Mr. Dunham’s death in 1998.
Mrs. Dunham was active in the Burkittsville Ruritan, the Middletown Lions Club, and the Silver Bit Riding Club in Petersville. Following her retirement, she volunteered at Frederick Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include four sons: Michael F.X. Dunham of Surfside Beach, S.C., Louis W. Dunham of Rockville, Terry Dunham of Jefferson, and Alvin “Buddy” F.X. Dunham II of Walkersville; one daughter, Molly Dunham Glassman of Towson, Md.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 4PM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4231 Catholic Church Rd., Knoxville, MD 21758.
Interment will be private.
Born in Washington, D.C., the former Elizabeth Wahl was the daughter of Louis J. Wahl and Louise Cannon Wahl. She grew up working in her parents’ business, the Wahl’s Department Store at 7th and H Streets in NE Washington. She attended the Visitation Academy in Georgetown before marrying Alvin F.X. Dunham in January 1944. After Mr. Dunham returned from serving in World War II with the Army and the Office of Strategic Services, the couple bought a farm in Potomac in 1947.
In 1948 Mr. Dunham opened Dunham’s Motor Service at the corner of Falls and River Roads in Potomac. Mrs. Dunham soon became a full partner in the business. She answered phones, greeted customers, and handled all of the bookkeeping. All four of the Dunhams’ sons also worked in the family business. The Dunhams moved to Top of the Mornin’ Farm in Jefferson, Md., in 1971 but continued to commute to Potomac until they sold the business following Mr. Dunham’s death in 1998.
Mrs. Dunham was active in the Burkittsville Ruritan, the Middletown Lions Club, and the Silver Bit Riding Club in Petersville. Following her retirement, she volunteered at Frederick Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include four sons: Michael F.X. Dunham of Surfside Beach, S.C., Louis W. Dunham of Rockville, Terry Dunham of Jefferson, and Alvin “Buddy” F.X. Dunham II of Walkersville; one daughter, Molly Dunham Glassman of Towson, Md.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 4PM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4231 Catholic Church Rd., Knoxville, MD 21758.
Interment will be private.
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