Virginia Blackistone Duke

Virginia Blackistone Duke, 85 of Leonardtown, Maryland died on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at her home in Tudor Hall. Born on December 20th, 1919 in Colton Point, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Robert Reginald Golden Blackistone and Ella "Sugar" Turner Blackistone. Her husband Benedict Drury Duke who died on February 1, 1962 and whom she married in St Aloysius Church in Leonardtown on September 19, 1942 preceded her in death.
Mrs. Duke is survived by her children, Benedict D "Dickie" Duke Jr. and his wife Grace Ann Quade, Walter Francis "Pop" Duke, Virginia Diane Dorsch, Ellen Duke - Wilson and her husband John Wilson all of Leonardtown, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Her youngest son, Robert Steven Duke of Leonardtown, preceded her in death. Her sister, Jean Blackistone Mandel, and a brother, Robert “Sonny” Blackistone, also preceded her in death.
Mrs. Duke was a life-long St Mary’s County resident and always had a special fondness for her historical family heritage, especially her long family ties to Blackistone Island now called St Clements Island.
A graduate of St Mary’s Academy in Leonardtown, Mrs. Duke went on to graduate from Strayers Business College and attended American University in Washington DC. She remained in DC where she worked for the Department of Labor for a few years during the pre wartime. She then returned to her beloved St Mary’s County and worked at the newly built Patuxent Naval Air Station. After her marriage she joined her husband in the operation of Dukes Restaurant in Leonardtown and for many years after her husband’s death, at the age of 42, she continued to run "Dukes". She and her husband also owned and operated the Beacon Realty Company for many years until his death.
Her enjoyments in life were tending her flowers, "going out" to local events and her family and friends in St Mary’s County. She demonstrated her affection for her community by serving and supporting many local organizations and groups including St Mary’s County Red Cross, Catholic Daughters, St Clements Island, Young Democrats, Chamber of Commerce, her town of Leonardtown and many others.
The family will receive friends and relatives at St. Aloysius Church in Leonardtown, MD on Wednesday, July 27th, 2005 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Aloysius on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. with Father John Dakes officiating. Interment will follow in Our Lady’s Church Cemetery in Medleys Neck.
Pallbearers for Mrs. Duke will be Alfred Mattingly, Walter Wise, John Wilson, Jimmy Duke, Phil Dorsey, and her grandsons Robbie Duke, Wayne Dorsch and Paul Wilson.
Honorary pallbearers for Mrs. Duke will be Grace Ann Quade, Marvin Mandel, George Beavan, Walter Dorsey, Liz Somerville, Jimmy Gatton, Jimmy Banagan and Josh Walton.
Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, St. Mary's County Meals on Wheels Program, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650, and the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 229, Leonardtown, MD 20650.