Mary Shelton Prassina

Mary Shelton Prassina, 95 of Selbyville, Delaware, and formally of Catonsville, Maryland passed away peacefully in her home, on March 11, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was born March 28, 1928, in Denton Maryland, daughter of the late Maurice Shelton and Martha Shelton-Bland (nee Hoffman). Mary's family moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland in 1939. Mary graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in 1946 and Towson State Teachers' College (Towson University) in 1950 with a degree in Education. While at Towson, Mary met August (Gus) Prassina. They had been married for 40 years.

Mary began her teaching career at Catonsville Junior High School (BCPS) in the fall of 1950 as a teacher of Core (social studies and English). She ultimately taught English to 7th, 8th, and 9th graders in that one school for 35 years. She retired in 1985.

Mary enjoyed playing Bridge and was a member of many different Bridge groups. She played in one group for over 60 years. In addition to playing Bridge, Mary was an avid reader of biographies, solved crossword puzzles, and kept up with current events. She was extremely proud of her 3 grandchildren and enjoyed hearing about their adventures.

In addition to her parents, Mary is preceded in death by her husband, August (Gus) and by her sister, Ruth Beall, and her step-father, Clifford Bland. Mary is survived by her daughter, Neysa Prassina Silvestri, her son-in-law, Mark Silvestri, and grandchildren Connor Silvestri, Callie Silvestri, and Arianna Silvestri; sister Yvonne Bland and brother Tom Bland and his wife Dana; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, and great-great-great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association : PO Box 840692 Dallas, Texas 75284-0692 or the American Cancer Society : PO Box 6704 Hagerstown, Maryland 21741.