Grace Brashear Winpigler

Grace Brashear Winpigler, 96, of West Palm Beach, FL, died at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her family and devoted caregiver Ketly Pierre. 

God knew he needed the perfect angle to complete his live Nativity scene for Christmas, and he called an amazing one on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2024. The Frederick, MD native has lived with her daughter in Florida since 2019.

The daughter of the late Harry H. and Ella Burrier Harshman, Grace was born on March 20, 1928. Twice married, she was the wife of the late Ralph L. Brashear and Charles A. Winpigler.

 A 1946 graduate of Frederick High School, Mrs. Winpigler was engaged in many Frederick Community organizations and activities, devoting her professional career to the dental industry, encompassing private practice; an instructor at the University of Maryland Dental School Department of Dental Hygiene; and the Frederick County Health Department. She was also one of the founding leaders and instructors of the Frederick Community College’s accredited Dental Assisting Program, the New Market Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, New Market and Frederick County Homemakers, the Lions Club and serving as a 4-H Club leader. 

Mrs. Winpigler devoted her life to practicing and educating the importance of dental health education in Frederick County Public Schools, nursing homes and community events. Her advocacy and dedication led her, with the support of local, county and state elected officials, to open one of the first dental care units in the U.S. at Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center in Frederick. She also led the care facility’s auxiliary leadership and many fundraising campaigns to better the lives of residents there.

Her mentorship and role model qualities spread throughout the local community, State of Maryland and nationally. She served in many leadership capacities in the Frederick County and Maryland Dental Assistants Associations, the Frederick County 4-H Camp & Activities Center, the Church of the Brethren (Bush Creek and Frederick), and the Frederick Business and Professional Womens Association.

Always performing a labor of love, Mrs. Winpigler was recognized on many levels for her work and dedication efforts, including the American Dental Assistants Association. She was also inducted as a Wertheimer Fellowship for Excellence in Volunteerism through the Frederick Community Foundation for her commitment to geriatric dentistry and care. In her “retirement” she assisted many brides with their wedding planning and ceremonies. 

But her greatest love was for her church and family. To our family and friends, she was “Amazing Grace” … mom, Memie, Gracie, friend, mentor, Miss Grace, Aunt Grace. Her life was filled with joy, always putting others first. Her hands often captured her caring, nurturing, and comforting nature.

Surviving are her daughter, Becky Brashear and Jennifer Hankey of West Palm Beach; daughter in law Sherald Brashear of Frederick; granddaughter, Stacy Brashear Ferguson (Colby) of Granbury, TX; grandson, Dente L. Brashear Jr. (Dana) of Biglerville, PA; five grandchildren Chase Ferguson and Mickinzi Ferguson, both of Oklahoma, Mackenzie Bender Shanklin (Will) of Silver Spring; and Keller and Kash Brashear of Biglerville, PA.; her fur grandbabies Piper and Cocquina; and many nieces and nephews. She was the last survivor of her five brothers and sisters. Her son, Dente L. Brashear Sr. preceded her in death in 2022.

The family will receive friends from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the Bush Creek Church of the Brethern in Monrovia, MD where funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Paul Mundey, Rev. Linda Lambert and Rev. Dawn Weller will officiate. Interment will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Monrovia, alongside her late husband, Ralph and son, Dente. 

Pallbearers are Dente L. Brashear Jr., Colby Ferguson, Chase Ferguson, H. David Harshman Jr., Gaylen Harshman, Charles D. Harshman, Wayne Harris and Robert (Bobby) Fogle. Honorary bearers are James (Jim) Harshman, Monte Free, Ronald Harshman and great grandchildren Mickinizi Ferguson, Keller Brashear, Kash Brashear and Mackenzie Bender Shanklin.

The family extends its heartfelt thanks to Ketly Pierre, mom’s caregiver for nearly three years, Friends of the Family Home Health Care, and to Trustbridge Pallative and Hospice care, all of West Palm Beach, FL

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Winpigler Dental Health Fund at the Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701, or the Frederick County 4-H Camp & Activities Center, 3702 Basford Road, Frederick, MD 21703.