Mary A. Winterling

The elementary school principal was beloved by the community and applauded for her dedication

She was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago and often took treatment Monday mornings - and returned to her office in the afternoon.

"She always said to me, 'I have cancer, but cancer doesn't have me,' " said her sister Leah W. Bark of Rosedale.

In her free time, Miss Winterling liked to make trips to Chestertown but would pull off the road for yard sales where she might find something for the school. Until it closed several years ago, she was a regular patron at Marconi's Restaurant. She also had a lifelong interest in Benjamin Franklin and collected Franklin memorabilia.

A Mass was offered Saturday at St. Clement Maria Hofbauer Roman Catholic Church in eastern Baltimore County. A school bus carried parents and children from West Baltimore to the service.

"She was an original design created by Almighty God," said the Rev. Victor Folks, pastor of the Greater Church of the Risen Savior on Bentalou Street, who was a speaker at the funeral.

In addition to her sister, survivors include two nephews.