Vlasta E. Schmidt, 89, restored historic homesVlasta E...

Vlasta E. Schmidt, 89, restored historic homes

Vlasta E. Schmidt, a longtime Harford County volunteer who helped restore several historic houses, died in her sleep May 28 at the home of her daughter in Princeton, N.J. She was 89.

Mrs. Schmidt lived since the early 1950s at "Sophia's Dowry," an historic Belcamp house that is known for its exquisite paneling and rare double staircase that dates to 1768.

She was born Vlasta Dolezal in Czechoslovakia, where she was raised and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Prague.

She was married in 1936 to Victor Schmidt. After living briefly in England, the couple moved to New York City. He died in 1965.

Interested in historic preservation, she helped restore and furnish the historic Archer Mansion at Rock Run in Susquehanna State Park. She was a board member of the Ladew Topiary Gardens and home in Monkton, whose library is named for her in recognition of her work there.

She was named a Living Treasure in 1981 by Gov. Harry R. Hughes and a Harford County Living Treasure.

A memorial service was held yesterday at her home.

She is survived by a son, Peter Schmidt of Toronto; a daughter, Barbara Gallup of Princeton, N.J.; and three grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Vlasta Schmidt Library at Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton 21111.

Jesse D. O'Keeffe, 75, teacher, Baltimore native

Jesse Deborah O'Keeffe, a former Baltimorean and educator, died June 14 of complications of diabetes at a hospital in Glendale, Calif. She was 75.

A resident of Sierra Madre, Calif., the former Jesse D. Bowers, who was born and raised in Hamilton, was the daughter of Frank Bowers, longtime head of the history and guidance departments at Polytechnic Institute.

A 1939 graduate of Eastern High School, she earned a bachelor's degree from Western Maryland College in 1943.

She taught for several years at Roland Park Junior High School before moving in the late 1950s to Texas. She moved to California, after she married to Arthur F. O'Keeffe Sr. The marriage ended in divorce.

She was a member of the Sierra Madre City Council and the city's Commission on Aging and was president of the Sierra Madre Senior Citizen Club.

A memorial service will be today in Sierra Madre.

She is survived by two sons, the Rev. Timothy F. O'Keeffe of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Arthur F. O'Keeffe of Chino Hills, Calif.; a brother, John S. Bowers of Towson; and eight grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Western Maryland College, 2 College Hill, Westminster 21157.

Roberta Lee Brunno, 52, construction office manager

Roberta Lee Brunno, an office manager for a Pasadena construction company, died Thursday of lung failure at the Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. The Perry Hall resident was 52.

Born Roberta Bulk in Baltimore, she graduated from the old Eastern High School in the 1960s and was a secretary for an insurance company for several years before beginning work in 1973 at the McShane Inc. construction company in Pasadena.

She married Edward Brunno in 1974.

Mrs. Brunno enjoyed playing cards, gardening and fishing at Ocean City.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at Schimunek Funeral Home, 9705 Belair Road in Perry Hall.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Shannon Arvin; her mother, Regina Holderfer; and a brother, William Bulk, all of White Marsh.

Pub Date: 6/21/97