Mary Ellen Davenport

Mary Ellen Davenport passed away on April 26, 2025 at the age of 80. Mary was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, sister-in-law, and friend. She will be forever missed. 

Mary was born on July 27, 1944 at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington DC to the late Ruth and Reister Higgins. Mary grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland and graduated from Northwestern High School. 

She started working as a teenager at Woolworth’s in Prince Geoge’s Plaza. Her career spanned the Department of Justice, Immigration, and the National Archives, as well as NASA Goddard and the law firm of Reichelt, Nussbaum, Brown, Dukes, and LaPlaca. She worked for 58 years until she retired in 2018. 

Mary was a passionate collector of quilts, art, and dinnerware, and she enjoyed quilting, thrifting and antiquing, golf, ballet, and spending time with family, neighbors, and friends. She dedicated herself to introducing her children Paul and Amanda to many interests and activities, providing them a rich and vibrant life spent alongside her.

While we deeply mourn her loss, we celebrate the spirited life she lived. Her presence brought joy every day to those around her.

Mary leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her son, Paul Lundberg, daughter, Amanda Davenport, her five grandchildren, Hannah Lundberg, Brandon Lundberg, Aidan Lundberg, Ava Lundberg, and Theodore Han, her daughter-in-law Angelique Lundberg, her son-in-law Bobby Han, her sister-in-law Linda Lundberg, her cousin Donnie Tanner, her beloved dogs Koko and Ref, and the many dear friends whose company she kept. Mary is predeceased by her husband Donald Wilkalis.

A public viewing will be held at Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home in Beltsville, Maryland on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 2-5 PM. A celebration of life will follow in the summer.