Mary Alice Drury
April 20, 1918 ~ February 23, 2017
Mary Alice Sanner Drury of Ridge, MD passed away in her home on February 23, 2017 at the age of 98. She is survived by her son John Drury (Maggie) of Chester, VA and Daughter Joan Welch (Ron) of St. Inigoes, MD. She has 5 grandchildren James Welch, Eric Welch (Kimberly), Megan Drury, Stephanie Welch, and Raub Drury (Christina). There are 4 great great-grandchildren, Ashley Welch, Zachary Cannavino, Savanna Cannavino and Dilan Welch. Her wonderful caregivers that she cherished: Jean Harmon, Kelisa Marsh, Salinda Carroll, Michelle Lepert, Denise Keokuck and Francine Smallwood.
Alice was the oldest of 11 children and has 3 surviving brothers, Bernard (Joan) Sanner of Reisterstown, MD, Carl (Barbara) Sanner of Westminster, MD, and Donald Sanner of Miami, Florida. She has many nieces and nephews who loved to visit her southern Maryland home, to relax, play in the water, catch crabs and watch the gorgeous sunsets.
She was preceded in death by husband, James R. Drury Jr., her parents, Irving and Daisy Hammett Sanner, her brothers Lloyd Sanner, Richard Sanner, John Sanner, Michael Sanner, James F Sanner and her two sisters Eleanor McInarnay and Evelyn Sanner.
She graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1937. She relocated to Washington,
D.C, married James Raub Drury Jr. in 1940 at St. Michael’s Church. She worked at the Census Bureau in Suitland, MD until her retirement in 1973.
Alice was a member of many community and reginal organizations to keep her busy and active in the community. These included: the Major William Thomas Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She held the office of Regent from 1979 to 1982, and Treasurer in 1985 and 1986. She was also a member of the St Mary’s County Antique Arts Association, Mistress Brent Garden Club and Historian, Friends of Historic St. Mary’s City, St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society, St. Michael’s Ladies of Charity, St. Mary’s County Public Library Planning Committee, St. Mary’s County Women’s Club in which she held the title of President from 1992 thru 1994.
Alice became a world traveler after retirement. She had visited most of the United States before retirement, so she started new adventures oversees. She saw Japan, Australia, India, Africa, Italy, China, Russia, France, and Brazil to name a few. She loved to spend winters in Spain to get away from the cold winters of home.
A favorite pastime was entertaining family and friends at her home in Ridge on the Potomac River. Many high school and family reunions were enjoyed by all, as well as numerous club luncheons, and meetings.
In Lieu of flowers, the family would like to request you donate to one of the following: St. Michael’s School, 16560 Three Notch Rd. Ridge, MD 20680, St Michael’s Ladies of Charity, P.O Box 429, Ridge, MD 20680, or the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, 16515 Three Notch Rd. P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 Am in St. Michael’s Catholic Church Ridge, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated follow at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private.
Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. Leonardtown, MD





Joan
Thank you for allowing me to spend the last 4 years with your mom. Even though I knew her all these years I came to know a loving, gracious, kind lady we shared so many interesting stories about our families. She was very proud of hers… I learned a lot about our county history as well. I will always cherish her memory!!! Our bird watching, the diamonds on the river seeing her with her great grandchildren…… She truly left an imprint on my heart.
Jean
Alice’s cousin, Marion Roland Conrad (age 102), her daughter, Lucille and myself send our thoughts and prayers to Cousin Alice’s family and friends. I remember how gracious a hostess Alice was some years ago when I brought my grandmother to see her cousin Alice and how we reminished about years gone by. I am so thankful that I was able to take a photo of her grandmother and grandfather, Eleanor and Edmund Hammett. It is the only photo of them that I know that exists.
Thank you Joan for sending me those holiday memories to put in the book I am writing.
Remember she is never really gone as long as we have the memories to share.
Prayers to all of you,
Therese DeSanto
Virginia Beach
ourfamilylegacy@aol.com
I have so many fond memories spent at Aunt Alices growing up…. She lived a life most only dream of . I am so glad she was able to have the last family reunion at here home … may she rest in peace and know she was loved by many and will surely be missed by all who knew her . My heartfelt sympathy to John ,Joan and their Families …all are in my thoughts and prayers 💕🙏
I remember Alice with many fond memories. When I first joined the Major William Thomas Chapter, NSDAR in 1990, Alice was one of the active members of the chapter. She enjoyed going to our local meetings, and was hostess for several at her lovey home in Ridge. She attended State DAR functions when she could and was always a delightful lady in every way. My condolences to her family.
I will miss Aunt Alice. I have fond childhood memories of picking damsons at her house and making preserves with my mom and of hearing the stories of her world travels. I recall thinking I want to be that adventurous in my retirement. She was and continues to be an inspiration.
Joan and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time
John, Maggie, Joan, Ronnie,
We continue to pray for your families. May the grace and peace of our Dear Savior abide with you and yours.