Dorothy Gass Banagan

Dorothy Gass Banagan, 69, died August 11 at her home in Abell, Maryland surrounded by her loved ones. Known to many by her nickname Dot, she was born in Leonardtown, Maryland February 28, 1937. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Herman Gass and Margarite Meyers Gass. She attended Holy Angels School and was a 1954 graduate of Saint Mary’s Academy. Dot lived with her aunt and uncle, Mary and DeSales Good, while attending Strayer College in Washington, D.C. She began her career at the CIA before returning to St. Mary’s County to marry the love of her life James Banagan on September 29, 1956. Dot worked at the St. Mary’s Department of Social Services from 1957-1972. During her tenure there, Dot created a master file system for tracking thousands of individuals flawlessly. Dot served as the secretary to the director Joseph Carter before leaving to start a business. In 1971, Dot and her husband, in partnership with Eddie and Patsy Bailey, opened B&B Maintenance of Maryland Inc. in Bushwood. When she and Jim retired in 1986 the business was passed on to the next generation when they turned it over to her niece Julie Buckler and nephew Greg Payne. Over the past 35 years, through hard work and dedication, the business has grown into the leading maintenance service provider in Southern Maryland. Dot was an active member of her community and her contributions numerous. She served as Hostess at Holy Angels Church dinners, served on the St. Clements One Hundred Osprey Gala Committee, and served ably on the Board of Directors of Walden Sierra. In 2005, Dot and her husband Jim, both distinguished alumni of SMA, were recognized as Pillars of the Community by St. Mary’s Ryken High School for their outstanding contributions to improve the quality of life in their community. Dot was active in local Democratic politics. She first became involved when her father ran for the Central Committee in 1954. She worked for Walter Dorsey in his campaign for the State Senate, and Samuel Bailey, Jr.’s bid for County Commissioner. When her childhood friend Jeanne Mandel became the First Lady of Maryland, Dot was a frequent guest at the Governor’s mansion. When Eddie Bailey ran for St. Mary’s County Commissioner, Jim was his campaign treasurer and Dot was right at his side. Eddie was elected to two terms and Dot enjoyed the down-home exposure to politics. She expressed it this way, “We packed a motor home with people and other necessities and toured the County, sometimes eating three or four chicken dinners a day. This gave us the opportunity to meet many, many good people of St. Mary’s County.” She served on Johnny Wood’s fundraising committee for over twenty years. She could be found working the polls faithfully. Staunchly loyal Democrats, Dot and Jim Banagan were honored as Democrats of the Year in 2005. At the banquet, her old friend Eddie Bailey served as Master of Ceremony and Congressman Steny Hoyer gave the keynote address. She enjoyed antiquing with Jim and her nieces Julie and Jackie, searching near and far for just the right baby pusher, piece of silver, or a rare oyster can to add to her husband’s vast collection. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and enjoyed her trips to Australia, China, Italy and Ireland. Dot is survived by her husband of 50 years, Jim Banagan. Other survivors include her sister, Mary Ann Payne of Colton’s Point, Maryland and brother Charles Clifford Gass, Sr. of Oamaha, Nebraska, 13 nieces and nephews, 13 godchildren, and 20 great nieces and nephews. Although she had no children of her own, Dot considered her nieces Jackie Payne Norris and Julie Payne Buckler her “special angels.” The family is receiving friends on Monday, August 14, 2006 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., where Prayers will be said at 7:00 PM followed by Optimist Prayers at 7:15 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, MD 20609. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, MD. Pallbearers will be: Samuel M. Bailey, Jr., William E. Bailey, Sr., Bernard A. Bailey, Richard C. Gass, William Russell Cullins and Robert H. Kopel. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Christopher Goode, Philip H. Dorsey, III, Bonnie Brown Pelletier, Jaye Kopel Anderson, James Kopel, Gail McWilliams Ballence, Ebalena Anderson Bell, Melissa Russell Dickens, Steve Bailey, Jaime B. Beitzell, Janet P. Hayden and Marnette M. Gass Stearn. Distinguish Honorary Pallbearers: Steny Hoyer, Marvin Mandell, Jerry Cheseldyne, John Cook and John Wood. Contributions may be made to: Walden Sierra Inc. 26845 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650, St. Mary’s Ryken High School, 22600 Camp Calvert Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.