Mary Anne Fleetwood, teacher, accomplished journalist
Mary Anne Fleetwood, 83, passed from this life Thursday, June 8, 2023.
Mary Anne was born Aug. 10, 1939, and grew up in Denton, Md. She was the daughter of Henrietta Blades Fleetwood and T. Carville Fleetwood Sr. Her maternal grandparents were Elmer B. Blades and Mamie Trice Blades. Her paternal grandparents were Isaac Robert Fleetwood and Elizabeth Townsend Fleetwood. Mary Anne was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas C. Fleetwood Jr.; and a niece, Christine Blades Fleetwood.
Mary Anne is survived by her nephews, Isaac “Ike” Fleetwood of Charleston, S.C., and Hunter Fleetwood of Los Angeles, Calif. She is also survived by a niece, Caroline Fleetwood of San Francisco, Calif.; and her sister-in-law, Carol D. Fleetwood of Easton, Md.
As a young child, Mary Anne developed a lifelong love of animals. She often stated that the driving force of her life was an advocacy for animals and their protection. Her childhood horse was named Champ, and her beloved dog was named Bob. Mary Anne’s top dog of all time was Pat, who also became a best friend. As she grew older, she became a dedicated advocate for wild horses in the Southwest, as well as for various animal protection organizations. Mary Anne adored the Southwest, enjoying many adventures in the towns, cities and mountains of this area of the U.S.
Mary Anne graduated from Caroline High School in 1957. She attended Hood College, from which she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1961. Mary Anne recalled with great pleasure her years at Hood. She rode the horses at the stables at Hood every single day of her years at the college. Mary Anne received a master’s degree in English from Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., in 1967.
Mary Anne kept in touch with her high school classmates of 1957 her entire life. For many years, her classmates have met in Denton for a luncheon. She often spoke of the love and loyalty of her classmates, who, to this day, continue to meet together every month.
Students will remember Mary Anne’s teaching English at North Caroline High School in the school year 1962-63. A student of hers related that she was the best English teacher he ever had. Mary Anne wrote a book about Caroline County titled, “Voices from the Land: A Caroline County Memoir.” The book was copyrighted by Mary Anne Fleetwood and the Caroline Historical Society. The book was published in both hardcover and paperback in 1983 by The Queen Anne Press, Queenstown, Md.
Mary Anne was a journalist at the Hartford Times in Hartford, Conn. She wrote a column called The Young American. She was given free rein to create this column with topics in which youth would be interested. Her column became so popular that she was sent to England to interview The Beatles. She later interviewed The Beatles again on their U.S. tour. Mary Anne also interviewed luminaries such as Ray Charles and Ted Kennedy, as well as many other well-known legislators. Her popularity was such that her photograph was often on the side of city buses with her journalistic name, Cathy Fleet.
Mary Anne subsequently taught English in the state of Connecticut at Northwestern Community College and at Tunxis Community College. A colleague of Mary Anne’s spoke of her academic expertise and of her deep connection with the students.
Upon moving to Rehoboth Beach, Mary Anne wrote grants for First State Community Action Agency and People’s Place. Mary Anne shared that she only wanted to use her writing skills for organizations that were helpful to persons with difficulties and special needs.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Mary Anne at 11 a.m., Monday, June 19, at Moore Funeral Home in Denton, Md. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home between 10 and 11 a.m. After the service, interment will be at Denton Cemetery. A luncheon/reception will then be held at Chesapeake Culinary Arts Center.
A service for friends of Mary Anne will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, at Epworth UMC, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach.
