On Friday, December 31, 2015, Marion H. Caldwell died peacefully at Montgomery Hospice Casey House in Rockville, Maryland. Born in 1930 in Dravasburg, Pennsylvania. She was the loving wife of the late Frederick Caldwell. Beloved mother to Judith Caldwell Cochrane (Ed) of Darnstown, Maryland, and Don Caldwell (Laurie), of Chevy Chase, Maryland. She will be missed by a host of family and friends. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Thursday, January 7, 2016, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. where a Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am. Burial will immediately follow at Parklawn Memorial Park.

Marion Ruth Hasson was born on October 11, 1930, in Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, in the same week as her very best friend (and Sister) Mary Louise Richards, ironically, both newborn baby girls Mother’s, Marie Hasson, and Vin Richards, were best friends.

Marion, attended McKeesport High School, and was a member of the McKeesport High School Marching Band, along with her dearest best friend(s), Mary Louise (Mel) Richards, and Ronald V. Fleming (considered as a Brother).

Marion attended Muskingum College in Cambridge Ohio, where she graduated with her Teachers Degree. At that time, women opportunities were limited to types of occupational fields they could enter. In later years, she Trained at NIH to become a Medical Lab Technician…and thereby met, Charlotte who introduced herto Ginny, her Sister,…and husband Donald Yowell.

She returned to Pennsylvania, to work at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, and this is where she met Frederick Steckman Caldwell, from Level Green, Pennsylvania, who was Interning to become a Doctor. They planned their “Knobbin Hill” together: one Collie Dog, one Boy, and one Girl to live “Happily Ever After” on a Hill called “Knobbin Hill”…. She was smitten!

Marion and Fred had a June Wedding in 1954, at the beautiful Heinz Chapel, in Pittsburgh, with Mary Louise Richards, as Maid of Honor, with Bridesmaid in Attendance, Sally May, and Roy Camarata as Best Man. Marion and Fred Honeymooned in Cape May, New Jersey, at the “Owl’s Nest”.

Fred joined the Navy, and was assigned to Washington D.C., to everyone’s surprise! They settled in Rockville, Maryland. Many trips from Rockville, Maryland, to each Parent, in Pennsylvania, ensued throughout the years. In June 1957, Marion lost her Father, William Eugene Hasson, to Lung Cancer, and then her dear Aunt Ruth, to Cancer as well.

At the Bethesda Naval Hospital, (The Belly Button Hospital), their baby girl, Judith Patricia Caldwell, was born, on September 25, 1957, and quickly thereafter, came a baby boy, Donald William Caldwell, on August 14, 1958. Each newborn was received to their new home on 1st Street, in Rockville, where their Collie Dog, Knobbie, and their Irish Setter, Timmy, ran circles around them…

Their love of the Country, moved them up county to Damascus, at the top of a high hill, --finally, their “Knobbin Hill”, at last! They remained there throughout his early Navy years.

On to Wilmart Street, in Rockville, where Dr. Frederick S. Caldwell, M.D., could establish an Office at Congressional Plaza…closer to Suburban Hospital. This is where Marion and Fred met new Family, the Bill and Evelyn Vests. Their love of the outdoors kindled by their mutual creativity, met with the most magical Children’s Garden with a hand built TreeHouse, SwingSet, SandBox, CementPipe, and Shed, and a Grown-Up Oriental Garden…(off limits to us“kids”) complete with, JapaneseLantern, Statuary, SteppingStones, OutdoorStereoMusic, PicnicArea, and Lots of Bamboo! At Thanksgiving, the Recreation Room, would be cleared of all major Furniture, and a Train Set would be built in its stead and stay throughout the Christmas Holidays. Large Colorful Lights, Plastic Santa Claus Decor, and Two Large Candles to Light the Front Walk Way... the Front Door would be Lit Up with a magnificent handmade Wreath…to welcome all.

Her love of the Outdoors, lead her to join the Girl Scouts, become a Girl Scout Leader, which lead her to enjoy the National Park system. On her 65th Birthday, Fred took her to procure her Gold Eagle Pass which provides free access to all available.

Then one day, Marion’s Oriental Garden was moved to Wooden Bridge Road, in Potomac Maryland. Marion devised a way for two huge Boulders to be moved by Kettler Brother’s Bulldozers for her new “bone structure” to her Oriental Garden”. And from there an Oriental Gardening Masterpiece was implemented. Fred, surprised Marion with the sudden delivery of a 5Ft. diameter Millstone, that he himself, humorously and with great difficulty, moved into the back Garden, for her. The Trains were permanently installed into the Basement with major Landscaping.

Never leaving anyone behind, only bringing all their friends with them… Christmas Parties at Wooden Bridge encompassed all cherished FamilyFriends picked up throughout the years. Music through Fred’s Organ playing, and at times accompanied by Marion’s piano playing. Don’s Sisters of Mercy from Saint Maurice School, joined in on occasion and in Ed joined in with the Guitar…always with Music Song Sheets for all… with great food, and beautiful Christmas Flower Arrangements throughout the home.

Her love of Gardening slowly over time became a Family project…digging holes…moving plants…picking leaves out of river rock beds…installing ponds…She always wore what we “kids” referred to as her “Spock-Pants”, (they were just very old shrunken bell bottom pants—and we considered them and her embarrassing (as “kid’s” and told her so often enough. )

It was near this time, that she became very interested in Landscaping and thus, the Landscape Critics Council. She became President of the Landscape Critics Council. It was here and through the Federation of Garden Clubs, that she obtained knowledge, skill, and fellowship…not to mention…lifelong friendships that would indeed become again…Family, Carol Carter, Audrey Whitney, Gi Adams, and Helen Reed and so many more….She became President of the Federation of Garden Clubs and used the Poem: “Through The Garden Gate” as her opening platform. (I’d like to read it to you now.)

Much work through the Federation of Garden Clubs included the National Arboretum, and the Botanical Gardens, downtown Washington D.C., where Christmas Shows were often held, by the Federation…and joined in by all of us…and loved by all.

Marion and Fred enjoyed many years of Travelling Abroad, through Fred’s Medical Lecture Series, particularly, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti and to include Gardens of the World.

Upon our Father’s Passing, in October of 1995, Marion eventually sold Wooden Bridge Road, but moved most of her beloved plants, rocks, and even the Millstone to her Daughter and Edward Son’s acre’s in Darnestown, Maryland. She visited the Garden’s often to enjoy her “Babies” there.

Upon her move to Montgomery Village, she joined the Montgomery Village Garden Club and at the same time, the Faith United Methodist Bell Ringers. She also, joined the Asbury Bell Ringers, and in due time, the Ocean City Bell Ringer’s. Marion continued to travel around the World, through the planned Tours provided through the Federation of Garden Clubs. Her Montgomery Village neighbors held multiple parties she attended.

Fred managed to work extra hard and procure a Beach Home for all to enjoy over the years, that became a respite for Marion through the years…if anyone was ever looking for her…well she was at the “Owls Nest”. Marion never slowed down, and only found time to rest, at her Beach Home.

She told her Children, Judith, Donald, and Edward, always called by their proper names, except Judy, who was always, “just Judy”, she felt her purpose was to “take care of us”…this last year” it was our turn to take care of her”.

Leaving us did not come easily to her…

She always had “Sand In Her Shoes”...to travel at a moment’s notice…

She’s thrilled to be on her next Adventure!