Donita M. Moorhus

On Wednesday January 2, 2019, Donita Mae Moorhus passed away surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer. Donita was born February 18, 1942 in Lafayette, Indiana, oldest child of Donald G. Plue and Opal C. Plue, who preceded her in death. Her first husband, Roger W. Moorhus, whose she married in 1963, also preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Robert P. Grathwol; two daughters, Amy Moorhus Baumgardner (Stuart) and Rachel Moorhus Itzstein (William); three stepchildren, Philip Grathwol (Mickie), Jennifer Grathwol Thomas (Michael), and Eric Grathwol (Ann), as well as nine grandchildren ages 8-21. Donita graduated from the University of Michigan (English, with distinction) in 1963 and earned a Master of Social Service from Fordham University, Lincoln Center in 1979. From 1988-2015, Donita and her husband were partners in R&D Associates, historical research and writing and program development. She is co-author of several books and unpublished studies. She had a lifelong interest in cooking, sewing and embroidery and later for English paper piece quilting; she enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and Europe. She was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Northwest DC. Her notable accomplishments include: * spending 20 years as an oral historian conducting hundreds of interviews including for the Washington Press Club Foundation, The Phillips Collection, USACE, and conducted workshops on project planning and teaching interviewing skills * her work for the Society of Women Geographers, Society of History in Federal Government * at Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads she was a founding member of the Newcomers Gathering and leading resident for the development of a resident website * project manager and historian for R&D Associates working with USACE, the Army CIC and projects for the Holocaust Museum * Associate Director of the US office for the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to promote foundation programs and development of an alumni network Visitation and Services: - Saturday, January 5 visitation with the family at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church VA - Sunday, January 6 funeral at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 4900 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC - Celebration of Life to take place in late January/early February at Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads. For updates please contact Donita's daughter, Amy Moorhus Baumgardner or Goodwin House Bailey's Crossroads. Ashes will be inurned in a private family ceremony later this Winter. In lieu of flowers gifts in Donita's memory can be made to either: