Mary S. Tawney, 85

Hospital volunteer

Mary S. Tawney, a homemaker and longtime hospital volunteer, died Monday of an aneurysm at Sinai Hospital. The North Baltimore resident was 85.

Mary Sharp was born and raised in Philadelphia. She graduated in 1940 from Abington High School in Abington, Pa., and earned a bachelor's degree in home economics from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1944.

She managed the gift shop for many years at Maryland General Hospital and later volunteered in the blood testing unit at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and the Red Cross.

Mrs. Tawney, who had lived at Elkridge Estates for 26 years, was an avid University of Maryland sports fan and active member of the university's alumni association. She was a member of University Baptist Church.

Her husband of 44 years, Chester W. Tawney, a financial director for Penguin Books, died in 1991.

Interment is private.

Surviving are two sons, C. Lee Tawney of Bolton Hill and Brian F. Tawney of Falls Church, Va.; a stepdaughter, Dale Turnbaugh of Ocean City, N.J.; and five grandchildren.