Alice Marie Harrington, a retired cosmetologist and foster parent, died in her sleep Monday at her Columbia home. She was 93.
Born and raised in Wilmington, Del., the former Alice Marie Wilson married Nathaniel Harrington, a B&O Railroad employee, in 1943. He died in 1985.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Mrs. Harrington owned and operated a beauty salon in East Baltimore. She moved to Annapolis in 1954 and continued to operate a beauty salon in her home. She moved to Columbia in 1986.
"She loved her family's beautiful gardens and orchards, set among dozens of acres at the family home. She continually raised and canned numerous foods which she would give away when family and friends visited," said her son, Nathaniel Harrington Jr. of Palm Beach, Fla., a former reporter for WBAL-TV.
For years, Mrs. Harrington took in and raised foster children, ranging from infants to teenagers.
"She was a model Christian who had an unusual and memorable way of subtly motivating and inspiring people to love each other. She did this with few words, humorous quips, empathy and righteous living," her son said.
She was a member of Celebration Church, 6080 Foreland Garth in Columbia, where services will be held at noon today.
Mrs. Harrington also is survived by two daughters, Gwendolyn Laws of Wilmington and Dr. Anna DeJesus of Annapolis; a brother, William Wilson of Scarborough, Maine; a foster son, Lawrence Harris, and two foster daughters, Betty Harris and Gladys Harris, all of Annapolis; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
