Legislative Update - March 13, 2009

Friday, March 13th, 2009

Dear Friends,

It is with deep regret that I must inform you of the death of Delegate Mary-Dulany James’ mother, Margaret Higinbothom James, who passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2009.  She was just shy of her 89th birthday.

Mrs. James was the backbone of her family; a constant source of strength and comfort both to her husband and children, as well as to all of her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  She helped to instill in Delegate James the values she holds firm to this day in her life and in her role as a public servant.  Mrs. James was instrumental in the success of her husband’s and daughter’s political careers, providing wisdom and commons sense, while always keeping both grounded.

Mrs. James was born in Ellicott City, MD, to the late Dulany Clagett Higinbothom and the late Elizabeth Cooney Higinbothom. She was the devoted wife of the late William Smith James, former President of the Maryland Senate and State Treasurer.  She was the loving mother of Delegate Mary-Dulany James, the late Robert Roy James, and son-in-law Brian B. Feeney. She was the adored grandmother of Evelyn Ann James Feeney, William Grant James Feeney, and Jarrett Rex Dulany James, all residing on Old Bay Farm, outside of Havre de Grace, MD.

She was the dear sister to the late John Bernard Higinbothom and to the late Honorable Edward Dulany Higinbothom, former judge of the Circuit Court of Harford County and the late Russell Joseph Higinbothom. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Dorothy B. Higinbothom, of Bel Air, MD, Mary Russell Higinbothom of Pikesville, MD, and Jocelyn James Butler of Whiteford, MD. Mrs. James is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. James was a graduate of both Bel Air High School and the College of Notre Dame. She worked in a very high ranking position as an executive medical secretary for one of the commanding Generals at Edgewood Arsenal until marrying William and dedicating her time to her children and Old Bay Farm. She made the beautification and upkeep of Old Bay Farm one of her primary projects, and its beauty today is due to her hard work.  She was an avid gardener who was very skilled and adored spending time working with her flowers, fruits and vegetables. She loved to cook and was a gracious hostess known for putting on lovely and welcoming events in support of her husband’s and her daughter’s political careers. She was also known for her famous Christmas cookies, which she annually began baking every Thanksgiving and which were much sought after.  She was the President of the Garden Club and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a very active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, where she was a lay minister and a Eucharistic minister. She also enjoyed playing Bridge with her friends. 

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2009 from 1:00-3:00pm and 6:00-9:00pm, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 S. Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 1:00pm, at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 141 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014.

Along with flowers, contributions may be made to either the William S. James and Margaret H. James Memorial Scholarship, which focuses on health care professions, or E. Roy and Mary S. James Memorial Scholarship, which is open to all fields of study. Contributions should be sent to the Harford Community College Foundation, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.

Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.

Delegate James asked me to express her sincere appreciation for all of the support and well-wishes she has received in the past few days.  We ask that you keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Samantha Roberson,
Legislative Aide