Dyson Family Sets Services
Viewing for Marie Dyson, 81, will be held at Holy Face Church on Thursday, Sept. 28th at 4 pm with prayers at 7 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10 am, burial will take place following the Mass at the Holy Face Cemetery.
GREAT MILLS --- The matriarch of one of the largest families in St. Mary's County, Marie Dyson, died Sunday morning at Georgetown University Hospital where she was being treated for a major stroke she had suffered two weeks ago.
Marie came to St. Mary's County as a young woman to work as a telephone operator when the Patuxent River Naval Air Station was built in 1943.  She rented a room at Great Mills from John Samuel Dyson and Florence Aud Dyson and soon met their son Leroy Dyson whom she married and together they raised eight children; J.C., Lee, Roy, Vi, Lynn, Mary Katherine, Steve and Patricia. 
With 16 grandchildren and one great granddaughter, Marie never lost count and never stopped knowing their names or needs, finding time for all. Marie would include the date, day of the week, time of birth and birth weight on the birthday card she would send to each of her family and was able to recite these family stats on a moments notice.
Marie was the chief telephone operator of the new central phone system that the Navy brought with them to St. Mary's County to replace the scattered kitchen operated system which had been in place, often putting placing phone calls behind making apple pies. 
Marie came to St. Mary's from Salisbury where she had been raised by her parents, Royden Street Meise and Gladys McFee Meise.  She was one of six children and is survived by her sister Pat Banks of Salisbury and Hugh Meise of Oklahoma.
In addition to taking care of her family, Marie was back and forth from her kitchen to the kitchens of others, bringing meals to those in need and driving others to doctor and church.  With Leroy, Marie ran the Dyson Lumber Company until their children were old enough to join and take over the business. 
Marie Dyson took the time to handwrite the words 'thank you' on each and every invoice she sent out every month, keeping the personal touch as her family's business grew over the years from being a simple saw mill selling some bolts and nails to a thriving building center.
Marie's dedication to her church, family and community extended to her major role in politics, as she volunteered in and kept open the Democratic Headquarters in 1974 at Millison Plaza and when her son Roy filed that year for Delegate, printed out her stuffed ham recipe and had it printed on a campaign card, making her contribution to politics legendary for good taste and spicy flavor.  
From astronaut and Senator John Glenn, to Baltimore luminaries such as Teddy Venetoulis, Gov. Harry Hughes and Governor William Donald Schaefer, the parade of politicians coming to Marie Dyson's kitchen and backyard campaign events were colorful but far outweighed by the thousands of folks who had never before been involved in politics but pushed Marie's son Roy far ahead in the polls as they gave their votes and cooked stuffed hams as well.   
With television reporters on her lawn and an endless procession of friends and campaign workers in her kitchen and living room, Marie Dyson presided over a big effort of family and friends who worked tirelessly in Congressman Roy Dyson's many campaign events, many of which were held in her backyard, with thousands attending to eat beef BBQ and listen to bands.
Whether she was presiding over a Field Day or taking a meal to a shut-in, Marie always had a kind word for everyone and knew which direction to take.
Marie had her finger on the pulse of the community, with the phone ringing endlessly, she also kept a tv tuned to CNN in her kitchen while the police scanner kept her informed of ambulance and fire calls, often the first notice that something might be wrong with friend or family. 
Marie's own political work involved her long years of participation in the Democratic Club, local election campaigns and in 1992 was elected a Maryland presidential elector who cast a vote in the Electoral College.
In addition to being the mother of Senator Roy Dyson, her son-in-law, John Bohanan, is also an elected delegate from St. Mary's County.  Her son Steve runs a hauling business, her children Vi, Lynn, Mary Katherine, Patricia and JC run the family business while Lee recently retired from the United States Capitol Police.