Mary Alderton

Mary Virginia (Wiebrecht) Alderton, 87, passed away into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Saturday, June 20th at home, surrounded by her family. Mary Virginia was born on September 5, 1932 in Frostburg to Charles Wiebrecht and Mary (Muir) Wiebrecht. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband James W. Alderton, brother-in-law Jack Alderton, Abilene, Texas and sister-in-law Totsy Alderton, Abilene, Texas. Mary Virginia lived life to the fullest and valued hard work. She was a beloved educator who taught for 25 years in Allegany County, the bulk of those years as a fourth grade teacher at Frost Elementary School in Frostburg. Following her retirement from teaching in 1986, Mary Virginia embarked into a second career as owner/operator of her late husband’s business, Cumberland Optical, where she would continue to be employed for the next 34 years. Even when she was well into her 80s, she got up and went to work each and every day. Mary Virginia was active and enjoyed volunteering in her community. In 1988 she was awarded the City of Frostburg’s Unsung Hero Award for her work with the Frostburg Little League as league president and as District One Commissioner for Maryland Little League Baseball. At various points in her life she was active with other organizations such as the Allegany County Retired Teachers Association, the Frostburg Soroptimist Club, and the Frostburg Museum. But the driving force in her life was her love for Jesus and her love of the church. Mary Virginia first attended First English Baptist Church in Frostburg in November of 1932 when she was only two months old. She would be a member of First English Baptist for the next 87 years. It would be much easier to make a list of the jobs she didn’t do at the church since that list would be very short. She’s been a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Director, secretary, treasurer and served on countless committees over the years. But she will be best known as the church organist, a job she accepted at the age of 15 and held for over 70 years. Just two months ago, when church services were cancelled due to the pandemic, Mary Virginia played music on the organ to be used during the church’s online services. It’s the job she loved and cherished her entire life. Mary Virginia is survived by a sister, Barbara Chasteen of Placerville, California; three children: daughter Beverly Green and husband Gary of Frostburg; son Bruce Alderton and wife Debbie of Cumberland; and son Brian Alderton of Frostburg. She is “Grammy” and “Mimi” to five grandchildren: Vincent Green and wife Abbey of Grahamtown; Brandon Alderton and wife Julie of Huntsville, Alabama; Sierra Green of Greenbelt, Maryland; Rachel Alderton of Cumberland; and Amy Alderton of Cumberland; and two great granddaughters: Willow Green and Madison Green of Grahamtown. The family would like to send a special thank you to WMHS Hospice Services for the care and compassion they showed as well as the home caregivers, who we can only describe as angels, who cared for Mary Virginia during her final week at home: Mae Lambert, Betty Kennedy, Bonnie Mellon and Tammy Leydig. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mary Virginia can be made to the Union Rescue Mission, 16 Queen City Pavement, Cumberland, Maryland, a cause near and dear to her heart. Friends will be received at the First English Baptist Church, 136 E. Main Street, on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the funeral service following at 1 p.m. with Pastor David Sandvick officiating. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.