Marie Elizabeth Hamill

Marie was born on April 11, 1933 in the Bronx, NY to Irish immigrant parents, Bernard and Katherine Quinn. She was the eldest girl and second oldest of 10 children. Five of her siblings predeceased her–Pat, Catherine, Bernie, Celia, and Josie–and she is survived by her four youngest siblings–Eileen, Tommy, Johnny, and Gerry. Marie was a surrogate mother to some of her younger siblings after both of her parents died in their early 60s.

Marie met Bill Mathis when they were both working at Shell Oil Company in Manhattan, and they married in 1957. After living on the 5th floor of a no-elevator apartment in the Bronx with several young children for a few years, they bought a pink, one-bathroom house in Shrub Oak, NY, right across the street from Bill’s sister Helen.  Marie and Bill raised 6 children: Bill (Kathy), Steve (Robin), Joe (Jeanne), Mike, Mark (Carol), and Kathy (Todd). Marie was a devout Catholic and very active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish: Altar and Rosary Society member and president, eucharistic minister, lector, religious education teacher, and volunteer at many school and church events. 

After her children were school-aged Marie worked at various sales and secretarial jobs, including several years as a secretary to the guidance counselors at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, NY.  After retirement she devoted much of her time to her 11 grandchildren (Elizabeth, Bryan, Colin, Connor, Lakin, Ryan, Caelyn, Bridget, Jack, Julia, and March). She continued her active role in the church and also pursued other hobbies such as quilting, needlework, sewing, knitting, and playing tennis.

Bill and Marie were married for 46 wonderful years. After Bill passed away Marie moved to Riderwood Retirement Community in Silver Spring, MD to be closer to several of her kids and grandkids. There she continued her active lifestyle: square dancing, pickleball, golf, and tennis, and regular use of the pool and gym. She took advantage of many opportunities at Riderwood, including educational classes in writing, history, and art, special events and off-campus excursions. Marie had always been a competitive and extremely skilled game player – some of her favorite games to play with friends and family were bridge, Rummikub, Scrabble, and dominoes, though she enjoyed many card and board games. She also continued volunteering in the church as a lector and eucharistic minister, and visited patients at Arbor Ridge Rehabilitation Center. 

At Riderwood Marie made many close and cherished friends. In 2010 she married Jim Hamill, a widower and fellow devout Catholic with 8 children–Lee Ann (Rick), Doris (Jim), Jim (Pattie), Mike, Mark (Terri), Mary, Teri (Tom), and Tom.  Marie and Jim had 5 lovely years together, often traveling to visit their families, before he passed in 2016.

Marie will be remembered as a caring wife, loving mother, attentive grandmother, devoted friend, and faithful Catholic. Wise, practical, competitive, and thoughtful. Marie will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, stepchildren and step grandchildren, siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to:  Resurrection Parish 3315 Greencastle Road Burtonsville, MD 20866  Attn: Food Pantry

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