Rachael DeVita Brumsted

Rachael DeVita Brumsted, known to her loved ones as Mom, Grams, Great Grams, Aunt Rae and Rach, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2023, at the age of 96 at her home in Columbia, MD with her daughter Margaret and daughter-in-law Carol at her side.

Rachael was born on December 21, 1926, in Greenwich, CT, to the late Francesco and Anna (Conti) DeVita. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Bristol, PA to be closer to the very large extended Conti family. She attended Bristol public schools and graduated from Bristol High School where she laid the foundation for a lifetime of learning and personal growth.

Rachael worked as an executive assistant at Seagram’s in Bristol, PA where she met and fell in love with a young chemist from Milwaukee, WI, Don Brumsted. They married in 1952 and quickly moved to Louisville, KY and soon afterward to Milwaukee, WI where the first two of three children, Jim and Margaret were born. Never ones to stay in one place too long, Rachael and Don moved their young family to the University of Wisconsin, Madison and lived the university life for three years, which Rachael often referred to as some of the best years of her life. New opportunities took the Brumsteds to Illinois where Dan was born and finally to the brand-new planned city of Columbia, MD.

With her children finally in school, Rachael set out to continue her education. She was a member of the very first graduating class at Howard Community College and completed her undergraduate degree in Library Science at the University of Maryland. Rachael began her career in Howard County Public Schools as the Library Media Specialist at West Friendship Elementary School and later transferred to Owen Brown Middle School. After a twenty plus year career in public schools, Rachael retired and circled back to Howard Community College and volunteered in the Library Media Center. She loved her years at HCC finding it particularly rewarding helping students a fraction of her age with their research.

As a lifelong learner, Rachael continued taking courses and was a frequent flyer in the infamous HCC “traveling” art history class. Rachael also enjoyed exercising and working out with her trainer well into her nineties at the Columbia Athletic Club. Gardening, entertaining her many friends, attending cultural events, walking the bike path around Wilde Lake and gathering with the “Ladies of Upper Catterskill” were some of the many activities Rachael loved.

Rachael adored her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life. The very best day for Rachael would be to have her large and loud family gathered around her dining room table drinking wine and enjoying a pasta dinner together.

Rachael was predeceased by her loving husband Donald Brumsted, youngest son Dan Brumsted and favorite son-in-law Duncan Talbot. Rachael will be deeply missed by her surviving family members, including her son, Jim Brumsted (Norine), her daughter, Margaret Brumsted, her daughter-in-law Carol Brumsted, ten grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and too many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to count!

Rachael's kindness, grace, and unwavering love will forever be cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends, as they find solace in the beautiful moments they shared with her throughout her remarkable life.

Rachael’s family is forever grateful to Judith Henry and Nana Brobbey for their amazing care and support, and surrounding Rachael with love in the last year of her life. Her family wishes to extend a special thanks to the dedicated staff of the Gilchrist Hospice team.

To honor Rachael's long and remarkable life, a celebration will be held on August 6, 2023, at 1pm at the Robinson Nature Center, located at 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD 21044.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Rachael's memory to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation, https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, https://pancan.org/. These organizations were close to Rachael's heart and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of many.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Brumsted family.