Winter 2025
Michael T. Bleything, 79
Michael “Mike” Thomas Christopher Bleything, 79, passed away Sunday, October 6th, 2024, surrounded in love by his wife, daughters & granddaughter.
Mike was born the second youngest of five to Harold and Laura Bleything in Portland, OR on November 10th, 1944. He graduated from David Douglas High School in 1962 and joined the Air Force shortly thereafter serving during Vietnam. Once he returned home, he relocated to Maryland and after briefly working at the NSA he began his career as a police officer with the Laurel Police Department, until he retired in 1994. Never being one to sit still, it wasn’t long before Mike gave up on retirement and began working at the Laurel Boys & Girls Club and then the Holy Cross Hospital until relocating to Gibsonville, NC in 2020. Here, he met an amazing new “framily” (friends who are family) and actually did try to retire, but never stopped working on his favorite part of any job he held, which was helping the community, joining every board he could, making people laugh and being there whenever others needed him.
It is so hard to condense all that Mike was into a few paragraphs and for those of you who knew him, we know you completely understand. Mike was a loving husband who adored his wife Beverly and made sure all around him knew this within the first few minutes of meeting him. He was a fiercely protective and boastful father, grandfather, son & brother. He was a very proud Air Force veteran, a retired police Lieutenant, a Lions Clubs International member and the unofficial Mayor of Laurel. Mike was an amazing friend who never met a stranger and did not hesitate to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He was always the funniest person in the room and couldn’t stand to keep a good joke inside, even when it was inappropriate, or especially when it was inappropriate. He absolutely loved serving the community and thrived on making connections with everyone around him.
His memory and legacy will live on not only through those he loved and who loved him but by all of those he helped and touched along his way. He truly made the world a better place and we will miss him every day.
Mike is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Beverly; his daughters Tammy Bleything (Darius), Kimberly Bleything Prolo (Adam) & Heather Logan (Sandy); his granddaughters Brooke Bleything Slayton (Mark), Kendall Randolph (Tariq), Sanaa Olivia Bleything-Jones; his great-granddaughters Maliya, Elena & Gianna; and his baby sister Helen Morton Bleything. There are also many nieces, nephews and extended family members that will miss him greatly.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Harold, mother Laura, sister Pat and brothers Harold and Bob who will no doubt all be waiting for him with open arms.
We would like everyone to please share pictures and memories of Mike so we can continue to celebrate this amazing man together through love, appreciation and laughter, exactly as he would have wanted.
Shawn P. Dowling, 63
Shawn P. Dowling, 63, died Monday, January 6, 2025, in UMass-Leominster Hospital, Leominster, MA, surrounded by the love and care of his family, after brief illness.
He is survived by his sister, Kathleen M. Grimes and her husband, Howard, of Leominster; three nieces: Michalann Cosme and her husband, Moises, Alyssa Dancause, and Mallory Galatzer-Levy and her husband, David; three grandnieces and nephews: Matteo Cosme, and Abbe and Vega Galatzer-Levy.
Shawn was born in Silver Spring, MD, son of the late Margaret A. (Lee) and Charles M. Dowling. Raised in Tacoma Park and Laurel, MD, he was a graduate of Atholton High School.
He turned his passion for animals into a career, and for many years, owned and operated Sean Patrick's Pet Spa on Main Street before retiring in 2022.
Janice Ann Flores, 87
Janice Ann Flores, 87 years old, of Columbia, MD, passed away peacefully in her home at the Residences at Vantage Point on December 3, 2024.
Janice was born on the first day of spring at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Baltimore, MD to John Wesley and Mildred Agnes Ament. She spent most of her childhood in Baltimore attending Blessed Sacrament School (Grades 1–8) and Eastern High School (Grades 9–11). Janice was a Girl Scout beginning a lifetime of leadership development. Her family moved to Forestville, MD, where she graduated from Suitland High School in 1956 with honors as a straight-A student.
To fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse, Janice returned to Baltimore and attended the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1958. She made lifelong friends with her classmates and excelled in her studies and nursing skills. She began working at Prince George’s General Hospital, in Cheverly, MD, when hospitals were still racially segregated. She committed to delivering nursing excellence, reducing health disparities, and respecting patient dignity by working primarily with patients of color. It was during this time that Janice met the love of her life, Dr. Felix Flores, a resident in General Surgery.
Janice and Felix married on August 22, 1959, at Mt. Calvary Catholic Church and settled in Cheverly, MD while Felix finished his residency. They started their family in 1960 and moved to Laurel, MD. Janice continued her work as a nurse, including with Felix in his private practice starting in 1965. Janice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She was a lively, intelligent, and well-informed conversationalist. She gave life to her children, cherished the lives of her friends and family, brought to life every conversation which she had and was devoted to a life of prayer. In her was found the patience of Job, a Christ-like tenderness in every matter and a profound love characterized by her oft-heard refrain ‘Love you more!’
Janice loved nursing and kept her nursing license up to date until she retired. She became a full-time mother and homemaker, working in full partnership with Felix to make a warm, loving home for family and friends from all over the world. Janice had a later career as a successful real estate agent, merging her experiences of homemaking, love of interior design, and personal financial planning. She returned to nursing and managed Felix’s office in the last years of Felix’s surgery practice. Together, they retired in 2002.
Janice was an active member of the various communities to which she belonged. Upon graduation from nursing school, she joined the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association and regularly attended alumni events until 2020. Janice was a member of St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church in Laurel, MD for over 50 years where she was a regular lector and taught CCD. She introduced the reading of Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation at the annual Thanksgiving Mass and made many of the vestments and banners during the ‘60s–early ‘80s. Janice was a member of the Snow Hill Garden Club for over 30 years serving in various leadership roles. She served on the Board of Directors for St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel and the Mother’s Club for St. John’s College High School in Washington, DC in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Janice became a heart health activist as an early member of WomenHeart – a national coalition for women with heart disease. She was one of the first trained as a WomenHeart community educator through the WomenHeart Science and Leadership Symposium at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In this role, Janice was responsible for delivering dozens of community education outreach efforts on heart disease targeting women.
Janice loved the holidays. Thanksgiving was her favorite and her holiday decorating skills were extraordinary, meriting the Flores home a place on the Laurel Christmas Open House Tour. Her hobbies and pastimes included music, singing, musicals, reading, sewing, crocheting, crossword puzzles, macrame, woodworking, floral arranging, gardening, and watching Jeopardy, PBS Masterpiece Theater, and classic movies. Together, Janice and Felix enjoyed attending concerts by many of the greatest American jazz artists of all time. Janice was a lifelong learner about different cultures, ethnicities, religions, belief systems and practices, and advances in medicine and nursing.
Janice was preceded in death by her beloved husband Felix, parents John Wesley and Mildred Agnes Ament, her brother John Thomas Ament, sister in-law Cheryl Jean Ament, brother in-law John Michael Kelly, niece Maureen Ann Kelly, and nephews Eduardo, Ricardo, and Arturo Longoria. She is survived by Teresa Flores Strahlman (Scott), Daniel Marcos Flores (Monica Pourrat), Ann Marie Flores (Lewis Nashner), Patricia Lynn Staples Flores (Shawn Staples), Thomas Martin Flores (Carolyn) and grandchildren, Francisco Flores-Pourrat, Wesley Strahlman, Adelyn Sutton Flores, Matthew Strahlman, Clark Sutton Flores, and Emily Sutton.
Lois Marie Kirk, 90
Lois Marie (Mikelonis) Kirk, 90 of Frederick, Maryland and formerly of Monrovia and Laurel, Maryland, passed from this life to her eternal home on November 9, 2024.
She was the wife of the late George M. Kirk. They were married for 67 years.
Born July 24, 1934, in DuBois, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late Vincent D. and Mary (Hergenroder) Mikelonis.
Lois was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and homemaker. She was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church, Frederick, MD. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. While raising her children, she worked as a sales associate at a children’s clothing store. She was a devout Catholic having served as organist and lector for many years. She is survived by one son, G. Michael Kirk of Laurel; three daughters, Therese Outten, Lisa Sichert, and Melissa Betson all of Frederick; six grandchildren, Matthew (Crystal) Outten, Sydnee (Chris) Klimko, Danielle (Ryan) Mattson, Brad (Erica) Betson, Katie (Matthew) Vogt, and Kari Betson (Kobe Butler); great-grandsons Vincent Klimko, Tyler Vogt, Iverson and Trace Butler, great-granddaughter Makayla Betson, sister-in-law, Barbara Mikelonis, of Metairie, Louisiana; and many nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren held a special place in her heart.
Lois is preceded in death by her husband, George M. Kirk, brother Vincent L. Mikelonis and daughter, Mary Kay Kirk.
Donald Spencer McKay, 75
Donald Spencer McKay, Jr. passed away on October 10, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 02 1949 to parents, Donald Spencer McKay Sr. and Anne McKay in Baltimore City, Maryland and grew up in Riviera Beach, Maryland. He attended St. Charles Seminary for a short time. Don graduated from University of Baltimore in 1976 and earned his Master’s Degree from American University in 1983. Don served with Honors for four years in the United States Airforce; including doing an active tour in Vietnam. Afterward he worked for the US Federal Government as a Financial Analyst.
He had received various awards for exemplary work for the federal government, including a special citation from NSA finance and accounting office.
Don lived the rest of his life in Laurel, Maryland. Family gatherings were especially enjoyed by Don, but most of all he loved just spending time with his devoted and loving wife, Kathy. He enjoyed playing Friday night historical simulation board games with a devoted group of friends. He was a season ticket holder for Maryland football for 31 years. He enjoyed going to Oliver’s Old Towne Tavern for a burger and coffee, and loved meeting friends for an early breakfast at the Laurel Tastee Diner. Don also enjoyed reading and cooking; especially Thanksgiving Turkey dinner, and going for long walks with Kathy and the dogs. He was a history buff and an avid sports fan of the Baltimore Ravens, Orioles, Maryland Terrapins and Notre Dame.
Don is survived by two sisters: Anne Marie McKay and Mary Alice “Tiger” McKay; Nephew, Michael Bielski and his fiance, Marissa Smith; Niece, Erika Bielski; Niece-in-Law, Naomi McKay; two great-nieces: Braelyn McKay and Breanna Ingram; and two brother-in-laws: John Finster and Michael Fuller.
He is predeceased by his parents, beloved nephew, Doni and sister-in-law, Susan Finster.
Nancy Gail Mullis, 88
Nancy Gail Mullis, age 88, of Laurel, Maryland passed away on November 14, 2024, while surrounded by her loved ones. Born in upstate New York on July 16th, 1936, she lived a wonderful life full of love and happy memories. Her notable life stories include moving to Germany with her family as a child, watching her own family grow, working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and achieving her goal of graduating from college at the age of 59. She was a very creative and talented person with many hobbies over the years including sewing, knitting, drawing, playing piano, tinkering with her computers, traveling, stargazing, and taking lots of pictures. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Savage and a long-time member of the Laurel Rosie the Riveter Chapter. She loved more than anything having a full house of visitors to share conversation, laughter, and good food with. She was loved and treasured beyond measure by so many people, as everyone she met seemed to become a friend as she encouraged them to follow their passions in life. She would like you to know that a smile is the same in every language and is such a simple way to spread kindness and make friends.
She is predeceased by her husband, Forrest Mullis; her father and mother, Harrold and Iva VanAlstine; her siblings Marcia Kitching, William VanAlstine, and Earl VanAlstine; her children John Everette Mullis and Baby Mullis, and her grandson Billy Mullis.
She is survived by her children, Diana Mullis, Marshall Mullis, and Danny (Jan) Mullis; her grandchildren John (Jennifer) Mullis, Gina (BJ) Baldwin, Matthew (Rita) Mullis, Gennevieve (Michael) Mullis, Brandi (Justin) Sporer, and James (Stephanie) Barrans; many great grandchildren and even a few great great grandchildren as well as her brother Walter (June Anne) VanAlstine and sister Sharon (Jay) Sheppard.
Michael D. Teems, Jr., 64
Michael David Teems, Jr., known to most as “Mike”, passed away peacefully on the evening of Monday, November 25th, at the age of 64.
He is survived by his daughter, Grace McClellan Teems, who will hold him in her heart forever. He is also survived by his mother, Wanda Teems Gershowitz, his father, Michael David Teems, Sr., his stepfather, Irv Gershowitz, and his stepmother, Melanie Teems. Furthermore, he is mourned by his brother, Matthew Dow Teems, and his sister, Julie Ann Ambrose. Additionally, his nieces—Kelly Watkins, Emily Tippett, and Madeleine Teems—and nephews—Caleb Teems and Owen Teems—will also grieve the loss of Mike.
He was born on January 20th, 1960, the first of three siblings, to two loving parents in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving to Laurel, Maryland where he spent his childhood & adolescence. He then went on to study at and graduate from the esteemed Georgia Institute of Technology, earning a degree in Industrial Design. While in college, he was a patent illustrator, showcasing his impressive ability to be both giftedly left-brained and right-brained.
Mike’s charming and clever spirit was a light for so many. He was undeniably brilliant and used his education to contribute to the world of consulting and marketing in imaginative & priceless ways. He was an avid fan of Formula One, loving the strategy and excitement behind the motorsport, and beyond that, busied himself with driving all types of unique and beloved cars throughout his life.
Mike was a natural-born leader and a gifted mentor, touching so many with his work as an AA sponser and paving the path for future innovators in industries he excelled in. He was the first person you would want to call in a crisis or if you needed sound advice. He was a loyal friend with the type of witty humor that could brighten your spirits even in the stormiest of weather.
He notably enjoyed domestic and international travel throughout his life that rivaled the scenery you’d see in National Geographic. He visited Egypt, Germany, and Dubai, to name an exciting few. He also made a home out of Maryland, California, and Arizona, before settling in Georgia. He was a free spirit and cultured man with an innate desire to explore and better understand the world around him.
On Monday, the world lost an invaluable man of character and humility. He was a beacon of light in his community and inspired everyone around him to reach their full potential, consistently cheering on others. To know him was to love him. He will be dearly missed and his legacy will live on with his loved ones and all of those he mentored and helped blossom. There is no doubt that Mike Teems has left the world a better place than how he found it and we are all better for it.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Mike.
Because Voices of Laurel is a quarterly publication, obituaries are compiled over the course of each issue every three months. We do our best to include as many published notices as possible, and there is no charge for inclusion. Send obituaries with a photo to laurelhistoryboys@gmail.com.
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