Elizabeth Tatspaugh

Elizabeth Louise Tatspaugh passed away peacefully on December 31, 2018 at Riverside Hospital in Williamsburg Virginia. Her daughter Catherine of Hampton VA cared lovingly for her for 5 years. Louise had resided in Hyattsville MD from 1937 to 2014.

Born in Washington DC on December 10,1910, the third of ten children, Mrs. Tatspaugh was the daughter of Joseph A. DeMarr of Aquasco MD, whose ancestors had settled in Maryland from France in the mid 1600s, and Elizabeth DeMarr (nee Roeder) of Upper Marlboro MD. Louise’s loving husband, Walter L. “Bill” Tatspaugh, of Laurel MD died in March 1963. Louise and Bill were married in Frederick MD in July 1935.

Louise grew up in Mt. Rainer and Berwyn MD. After graduation from Business High School in Washington DC, Louise worked for GrayBar Electric and The Washington Daily News. In 1963 Louise joined the Assessment Department of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Hyattsville, from which she retired in 1975. Louise enjoyed travelling, visiting almost every state in the USA as well as more than 25 countries. She took her last international trip at age 103. She prepared carefully for each trip and kept detailed journals. Louise was very active in St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Hyattsville between 1937 and 2014 and the Prince George’s County Historical Society for many years.

Louise leaves her daughters Dr Patricia Tatspaugh of London UK; Elizabeth “Betty” Funk (Ralph) of Framingham MA; Margaret Whippee (Alfred) of Friendship MD; Catherine Bernstein of Hampton VA; and son John Tatspaugh (Chou-Chi) of Berryville VA; eight grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her son-in-law Hyman “Bernie” Bernstein; her granddaughters husband, John F Heffernon: her brothers and their wives: Joseph A. Jr., James D. and Stella, William A., Paul H., Charles K., Creighton O. and Mary, Robert M. and Eileen, and Frederick S; and her sister Virginia V. Straight.

The family will greet friends and relatives at Gasch’s Funeral Home, 4739 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville MD 20781 on January 18th 6-8 p.m. Services will be held at St. Matthew’s Parish, 5901 36th Avenue, Hyattsville MD 20782 January 19th at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at Maryland National Memorial Park, 13300 Baltimore Ave. Laurel, Maryland 20707.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in memory of Louise to either St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 5901 36th Avenue, Hyattsville MD 20782 or the Frederick S. DeMarr Library of County History, Prince George’s County Historical Society, PO Box 1513 Upper Marlboro MD 20773-1513.