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Myrtle Edith Estelle Faunce “Aunt Myrtle”, 96, of Lexington Park, MD formerly from Avenue, MD passed away on July 18, 2020 in Leonardtown, MD. She was born on October 16, 1923 in Park Hall, MD and was the loving daughter of the late Jami Fish Sonner Saunders and Westley Wilburn Saunders. Myrtle is preceded in death by her husband Henry Faunce whom she married on December 2, 1966 in Leonardtown, MD and who preceded her in death on May 17, 1993. Myrtle is survived by her children Betty Goodchild of Nipomo, CA, James Tennyson of La Vern, CA, Joe Tennyson of Roseville, CA, Charlie Tennyson of Lexington Park, MD, Mel Tennyson of Coleville, TX, and Wilma Kenyson of Ventura, CA, sister Millie Ruth Cullison of Ridge, MD, 13 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death her siblings Alfred Saunders, Frank Saunders, Vernon Saunders, Walter Saunders, Edna Marie, Wilbur Saunders, Robert Saunders, Clara Saunders, Jamey Saunders, and Jane Arrah Elizabeth.

She was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident and graduated from Great Mills High School, Great Mills, MD. Myrtle owned Faunce Seafood until her retirement in 1993.

On June 23, 1942, Myrtle was married to the late Joe Tennyson of Scotland, MD. She married the boy next door, adjacent farm from her families. They lived in the house with the in-laws. They had no in-door plumbing and no electricity. One hand pump at the kitchen sink. One wood stove and a couple of fireplaces for heat. Growing up she worked out in the field with the men. In 1952 the family moved to Montalvo, California into a newly constructed house with running water and electricity. She made her children clothing with a Singer Sewing Machine using simplicity patterns. Made her own biscuits from scratch, often shaping some dough into a groove shape. She made brownies with walnuts in them, there was a walnut orchid just beyond the backyard. She was a Den Mother for Boy Scouts Troop that her son’s Jimmy and Joe were in.

In 1955 she was divorced from Joe. She moved back to Maryland and later married Henry Faunce. Henry was a water-man. Sometimes she would get up at 4 AM and go out in the river with Henry. On returning to shore she would help Henry load the catch into his pickup. She would then make breakfast, go down to their shop, and Henry would eat the breakfast she had prepared. She worked at the shop all day. Then had to go home to make dinner and do household chores. 17-hour days were not that uncommon. Her son Mel, said that she was the hardest working woman he had ever seen in his life. Myrtle loved family and friends. She was a great cook and kept a spotless house. People marveled she kept 6 kids in a house so clean. The Saunders family reunion were always the best. People loved her crab cakes. One time, one of her relatives asked for her recipe. When she started telling her, the other lady interrupted and said “I don’t use that.” Mom stopped and said I never gave anyone the recipe. She loved people, if she liked you, you knew it. And if she didn’t like you, you also knew it. After Henry’s death in 1993, she sold Faunce Seafood and their house on the Potomac River. She moved to Ridge and stayed with her niece Diane until she got a place at the Southridge Apartments. There was a bar there and, on the weekends, different bands would come and play. Mom loved to dance and socialized.

Buzzy’s in Scotland was a favorite hangout of hers too. Buzzy could take off sometimes and mom would run the store until he got back. She made the front page of he Washington Post. A reporter came down, he was doing an article on the old country stores that were still in business, so on the front page there was Myrtle bending one back (Miller Lite). The reported laid down on the floor, Myrtle asked him what he was doing. He said he was waiting for her to exhale some cigarette smoke. She also made the Enterprise; a reporter came out because she had saw a walrus in the Potomac River. In her 80’s we used to bar hop. We could go into a bar not knowing anyone but when we left we knew everyone. She lived a full life and was ready to go. Not too many people can say that.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 24, 2020 from 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM in St. Michael’s Church Ridge, MD. Where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM with Father Peter Giovanoni officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be James Tennyson, Charlie Tennyson, Matthew Tennyson, Russ Tennyson, David Norris, and Clyde Tennyson. Honorary pallbearers will be Tommy Dean, Joe Greer, Jim Saunders, Dave Cullison, Paul Tennyson, and Roy Norris.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456 Ridge, MD 20680.