Thelma B. Brink, 94, formerly of Shrewsbury

123

Thelma B. BrinkGreat Falls, Va. – Thelma B. Brink, 94, passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2021 at Brightview Great Falls Assisted Living community. She is survived by her son, James (wife – Nancy), daughter, Katherine (husband – William) and two grandsons, Will and Ryan.

Thelma was born on Jan. 29, 1927 and raised in Shrewsbury. She was the eldest of five children. She lived through the Great Depression and her favorite pastimes were swimming and skating on nearby Lake Quinsigamond and riding her bicycle around the lake. She graduated from Major Howard W. Beal high school in the top 10% of her class and earned a scholarship to college. She graduated from high school with excellent typing and stenography skills that she used in her subsequent secretarial jobs.

Thelma loved to dance and would go to the local dance hall every weekend. She met her husband John there and they married in 1951 and moved to the DC area settling in Oxon Hill, Md. She was an excellent seamstress and made both her wedding dress and her linen going away suit. She worked as a secretary/stenographer for the Dept. of Health Education and Welfare until the birth of her first child and then became a full-time homemaker.

Thelma continued to sew and enjoyed needlecrafts while raising her two children. She was a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop, an active member of a duck pin bowling league and was an avid reader of the Washington Post. She volunteered in her community and worked various part time jobs using her secretarial skills and aptitude for numbers. She was a member and supporter of NOW (National Organization for Women) and very active in local senior groups. She worked for NARFE and became the chairperson of the Sick and Vigil committee (The Sunshine Committee) sending get well cards to those that were ailing and condolence cards to families of members who passed away. She was recognized for her work by receiving the “Distinguished Annuitant Award.”

In 2016, she moved to an assisted living facility in Alexandria and in 2018, she moved to Brightview in Great Falls to be closer to her daughter. Thelma loved to talk and be around people. She participated in many social activities and would go to almost everyone they offered. She loved listening to classical music and music of the 40’s and 50’s. Thelma was quick to smile, smart, loved to make jokes and had quite the sarcastic wit. She was well known for her signature red lipstick and was always recommending others wear lipstick as well. Thelma was a feisty lady and well loved by the residents and staff in her community.

On Feb. 10, a small, private ceremony was held to honor and celebrate Thelma.

No posts to display