Joan Elizabeth Fry Cummings

Joan being the oldest of four children and the only girl in a hard-working farming family, spent much of her years in Laytonsville riding ponies, participating in 4-H, gardening, cooking and helping with many chores. When she was 13 years old, the Frys moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland where “Pop” Fry started Fair Hill Farm.

Joan attended Chestertown High School where she embraced the Class of ‘64 Dragon spirit throughout her life. During high school, Joan’s strong will and adventurous spirit collided with the slower pace of the Eastern Shore. Many colorful stories have been told, most notably a snowstorm hijacking of farm equipment to join her friends in town. Later in life, Joan collaborated with besties Anne Vansant, Chris Barron and Shari Keen to rally classmates in the creation of a best-selling alumni cookbook. After graduating from CHS, she married David Smith of Chestertown and then pursued a nursing degree at the University of Maryland.

Joan returned to Kent and Queen Annes Hospital to begin her life’s work as a recovery room nurse. Over her career, she was the first comforting face many Kent Countians saw after awakening from surgery. Joan’s passion was nurturing others and after her nursing career, she found purpose and gave comfort through food and fellowship. The ultimate hostess, her house was always open for family and friends especially during the holidays. She became “Nanna” to not just her grandchildren, but all their friends. True to her nature, she was taking care of all of us in her final days.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Lorraine and brother Ken.

She is survived by her loving husband of 29 years, Dr. Doug Cummings and their blended family of children Craig Smith (Lisa), Jill Bramble (Scott), Dax Cummings (Stacy) and Mary Liz Cawley (Bill). Her greatest joy was her 10 beautiful grandchildren, Cole Cummings (28), Nick Bramble (25), Jordan Bramble (22), Connor Smith (20), Jud Cummings (21), Liza Jane Cawley (20), Aidan Smith, Lincoln Jix Cawley (18), Mary Kate Cawley (17), and Hugh Douglas Cawley (14). She held her brothers Edwin R. Fry (Marian), Robert C. Fry (Judy) and sister-in-law Bronwyn Fry, all of Chestertown, and many cousins, nieces and nephews close to her heart.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to National 4-H Council at www.4-H.org or P.O. Box 69364, Baltimore, MD 21264-9364.