Maryann Derenberger

Maryann Derenberger, of La Plata, Maryland, passed away on November 30, 2022 at the age of 95. She was born on May 28, 1927 in Chester, Pennsylvania to the late Anthony F. Rykiel and the late Veronica Borkowski. She grew up in Baltimore City and attended Holy Rosary School. An excellent student of Latin, English, History, Science, Math, Stenography, Typing, Bookkeeping, Sewing and Physical Education, she graduated with honors from Elizabeth Seton High School in Baltimore, Maryland in June 1946. Her yearbook motto reflects that mail call was her favorite time of day because she wrote to the many boys in the armed forces serving overseas in World War II. She was an encouraging friend to all. She married the love of her life, whom she had known since the age of 14, in 1948. Their marriage lasted 73 years, a testament to their love and commitment. Growing up, Maryann, the eldest of three brothers and a sister, worked in her family’s grocery store and bakery. Through the years, she retold many tales of those ventures, especially in the bakery. Later raising her family in New Carrollton, Maryland, she was an active supporter of her three children’s activities as schoolroom mother, Den Mother for Scouts, 4-H volunteer, and by cheering for everyone in their various sports. In the late 1960s she worked several years for the Giant Food Corporation in the advertising department. Eventually she joined the staff of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System in January 1971 to open the New Carrollton Branch Library. She served as a Circulation Assistant II. Later, she transferred to the Baden Branch Library in Baden, Maryland. She then moved on to the Documents Reference Library located in the County Administration Building in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. She made many lifelong friends there while assisting the County Council, various county agencies, and attorneys find their reference materials. She retired from the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) in December 1991 after 20 years of dedicated public service. Maryann was a loving wife, a loving mother and grandmother, and a loving friend. She put her family first, before herself. She was mother to Kenneth Edward (dec.) (Theresa), Edward Anthony (Grace), and Jean Marie Humphreys (James (dec.)); loving grandmother, known as “Nana,” to Susan Harding (Leonard), Erin Rady (Paul), Lindsay Marrion (Kristopher), Kyle Humphreys, and Ryan Derenberger; and great-grandmother to Joseph Derenberger, April and John Harding, Hays and Wrenn Rady, and Everly and Layla Marrion. Maryann was a faithful Baltimore Orioles fan. She enjoyed reading historical biographies and followed news about Queen Elizabeth II, whom she admired as a woman of courage, strength, and resilience. Her hobbies include doll collecting, doll making, decorative egg shell craft, flower gardening, bracelet collecting, and baking, especially cookies. She loved to decorate for any holiday, Christmastime being her favorite. She was the consummate hostess for family gatherings and parties. She enjoyed the beach and mountains and the activities that surrounded family vacations. Tap dancing and music of various genres, particularly the 40s, 50s and polka varieties, were favorites. In her last years, her happy place was the comfort of her home, listening to her favorite music and watching the many birds that visited the feeders. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, J. Edward “Boz” Derenberger; her eldest son, Kenneth Edward; her brothers, Gilbert Rykiel, Anthony Rykiel, Albert Rykiel; and her sister, Veronica Henderson. She is survived by her loving son, Edward and his wife Grace; her devoted daughter, Jean Marie Humphreys and her late husband James; 5 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. A Viewing will be held on December 9, 2022 from 9:00AM until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 201 St. Mary’s Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Interment will take place at a later date at Oleander Memorial Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Maryann’s memory may be made to Special Olympics of Maryland, 3701 Commerce Drive, #103, Halethorpe, Maryland 21227; the Charles County Humane Society, 71 Industrial Park Drive, Waldorf, Maryland 20602; Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, Inc., 8380 Colesville Road, Suite 700, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; and/or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741.

Maryann Derenberger

May 28, 1927 - November 30, 2022