Cheryl Blackman
In the early morning hours of December 7, 2016, at the age of 53, Cheryl Ann Blackman slipped away, leaving her family, friends and cherished community after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
Cheryl was the youngest in a family of four girls and is survived by her beloved mother, Shirley R. Dwyer Bennett (Rehoboth Beach), three sisters: Barbara L. Blackman Rynkowski (Lewes), Valery L. Blackman Cordrey (Millsboro), and Sharon L. Blackman Sherwood (Lewes), and step-mother Evelyn LaScala Blackman (Dover). Cheryl was predeceased by her father, Conrad R. Blackman (Dover), and step-father, Robert M. Bennett (Camden-Wyoming).
Cheryl had a passion for roller skating, which perfectly suited her high energy and outgoing personality, and she soon became a frequent and favorite community sight. It was Cheryl’s roller skating talent that would later help land her first major motion picture role: Miss Piggy’s stunt double in The Muppets Take Manhattan. Her Hollywood resume would go on to include Her Alibi with Tom Selleck, Avalon with Elijah Wood, and Violets are Blue with Sissy Spacek.
Cheryl’s trademark roller skates remained on when a daring George Chiartas hired Cheryl to her first official job; as a waitress at his Beach Luncheon on the boardwalk. Over the next 16 years Cheryl’s persona and confidence grew under George’s caring mentorship as she became more family than employee. When the Luncheon closed its doors, Grotto Pizza’s Dominick Pulieri invited Cheryl to join his wait staff. Over the years her duties expanded to parties and special functions, where she entertained kids of all ages by making balloon animals, and sporting ever more colorful holiday outfits.
Although Cheryl’s perpetual sunny outlook and star-quality initially caught our eye, it was her life-long philanthropic efforts that captured our hearts. Over the years she raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local organizations and charities including: Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Beebe Medical Center, Village Improvement Association, Cordrey Charities, and the Chesapeake Celtic Festival. Cheryl was also the biggest single fundraiser for her favorite charity, KINfolk, a remarkable achievement accomplished one raffle ticket at a time. In 2011, Cheryl’s special talents earned her the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award and in 2012, while undergoing cancer treatment, Cheryl proudly accepted the Jefferson Award in recognition of her outstanding Community Service on Delmarva.
While helping Rehoboth Beach earn its reputation as the “Nation’s Summer Capitol,” Cheryl was establishing her own legacy as an enduring Rehoboth Beach Icon. She won the hearts of all who knew her and may well be remembered as the brightest star to have ever skated into our lives.
In lieu of flowers donate to the Tunnell Cancer Center, 18947 John J Williams Hwy, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 and Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Matt Carey
Matthew J. Carey, 55, passed away on January 26, 2017, at Gray Birch Rehabilitation and Long Term Care Facility in Augusta, Maine, after a brief illness.
Matthew was born on April 4, 1961, in Waterville, Maine, son of Richard J. and Norma M. Carey (Morin). He graduated from Lawrence High School in Fairfield, class of 1980. From there he attended Eastern Maine Vocational Technical Institute in Bangor where he obtained associate’s degrees in Electrical Power and Electronics.
After graduation, he was employed by Verizon in New Hampshire, Maine, and Delaware. During his time in Delaware he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering. He retired from Verizon in 2011 and returned to Maine.
Matt was very involved with the Telephone Pioneers of America, holding several offices, and participated in many of their volunteer events, especially the Special Olympics. Matt was a people person. He loved to make people laugh, and could get along with anyone. He enjoyed camping, and taking cruises with friends and family. He was very generous with everyone, especially his nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at Notre Dame Church, 112 Silver Street, Waterville. Burial will be held in the spring.
The family would like to thank the administration and staff at Gray Birch for their exceptional care during his stay.
Contributions in Matt’s memory can be made to: MGMC Rehabilitation and Long Term Care, for caregivers on “The Birches,” 37 Gray Birch Drive, Augusta, ME 04330.
Julie Dickson
Julianne (Julie) Dickson passed away at her home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on December 3, 2016 surrounded by loving friends. Throughout her life, Julie gave the gift of service to the students she taught; the athletes she coached; the parents she counseled; the co-workers she mentored; the women she inspired; and the communities she led. Julianne began her career in education as a teacher and school social worker with the Manheim Central School District. While there, Julie coached field hockey, basketball, track, and tennis and led her 1976 women’s field hockey team to win Manheim Central’s first PIAA State Championship. Coach Dickson then moved on to the State University of New York at Brockport and was later recruited into Ivy League competition as Head Field Hockey Coach, Women’s Lacrosse Coach, and Assistant Director of the Brown University Athletic Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Julie then took on the challenge of starting her own insurance business from the ground up. She joined State Farm Insurance in 1984 as a licensed Agent and Owner in Manheim and built a business that served nearly five thousand clients. Julie also made time to serve as Vice-President and President of the Manheim Chamber of Commerce.
For Julie, community service and volunteerism was a natural progression of her lifelong advocacy for women, young athletes, and small business owners. During her eight year tenure as Lancaster City Councilwoman, with two years as President of Council, Julie Dickson was highly regarded by colleagues of both political parties for her candor, clarity of thought, and the courage of her convictions. She also served as a member of the Lancaster County Planning Commission, the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority, the Council of Trustees of Millersville University, the Board of Directors of United Disabilities, and as Charter Member of the Women’s Alliance.
Throughout her life, Julianne Dickson remained humbled and gratified by the many awards and honors she received. In 2001, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Association Conference named Julianne Dickson one of eight outstanding student athletes in the last fifty years. In 2004, Julie was again honored as one of Pennsylvania’s 50 Best Women in Business. A role model treasured by generations of students, Julianne has been inducted into the Manheim Central Hall of Fame and the Elizabethtown Area High School Hall of Fame.
Preparations for Julie’s final journey were long and arduous, made possible only by the care and affection of her most constant and courageous spouse, Helene (Gorman) Guilfoy, the watchful canine presence of sweet Sophie, the support of cherished friends from far and wide, and the steadfast encouragement and love of her mother, Sally (Sara) Dickson.
In addition to Helene and Sally, Julie is survived by brother George “Rick” (Diane) Dickson, nephew Neill (Megan) Dickson, and four great nieces and nephews.
Contributions to honor Julie and support the empowerment of women can be sent to: The Julie Dickson Foundation, PO Box 463, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Jerry Miller
Jerry T. Miller, age 73 of Lewes, DE, passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at Beebe Healthcare, in Lewes. He was born on Sunday, October 31, 1943 in Frederick, MD, son of the late John and Hattie (Zimmerman) Miller.
Mr. Miller was a 1961 graduate of Frederick High School and went on to a lifelong career as an accountant for Bechtel Engineering in Maryland. He spent many years working for the firm, both in Gaithersburg, MD and Saudi Arabia, retiring after 25 plus years. Mr. Miller relocated to the Delaware Seashore area in 1999, where he became a member of the Rehoboth Black Tie Group. He could be seen around town cruising in his ‘57 Thunderbird Convertible, and he enjoyed time spent with his many dear friends over a cocktail and good conversation. His love of travel took him all over the world; Egypt, Turkey, and Iraq were among his favorite places to visit.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Miller was preceded in death in 1993 by his beloved partner of 18 years, Steve Davis; his brother, Charles Miller; and his sister, Elaine Miller. He is survived by his twin brother, Terry Miller and his wife Virginia of Frederick, MD; his niece, Cindy Sabato; his nephews, Darren Bryant and Scott Allen Miller; and many wonderful friends.
In lieu of flowers contributions in Mr. Miller’s memory may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or Cadia Renaissance Rehabilitation Center, 26002 John J. Williams Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966.
William Stillwell
William E. Stilwell died on January 20, 2017 at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford after a long battle with dementia. He was 68. Will was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1948.
After high school, he entered the US Navy and spent four years serving at the Pentagon. Upon his honorable discharge, he began his 34 year career at the U.S. Senate, initially serving on the staff of Hubert Humphrey (D-Minnesota) who had returned to the Senate after serving as Vice President. Will also served on the staff of Muriel Humphrey (D-MN) who was named to the vacant seat upon her husband’s death.
Will worked for David Durenberger (R-MN). He spent his final 14 years working for Senator Edward Kennedy. At Will’s retirement party in 2006, Senator Kennedy spoke warmly of Will’s service and presented him with a signed print of the Senator’s original artwork. Will’s big photo event came the second weekend in December. It was the Kennedy Center Honors Gala. He was able to attend 30 out of the first 32 events.
Here they honor five celebrities of the arts each year. This provided him the opportunity of many photos with the stars. He met 121 Academy Award Winners, including Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Elizabeth Taylor, and many others. In addition to meeting Presidents and First Ladies, he had numerous opportunities to meet with political and popular celebrities while working at the Senate. While in his 30s, he ran five Marine Corps Marathons, which are annual events in Washington D.C.
Will met Forrest in Washington D.C. in 1968, and they were together for over 48 years. They went on many vacations together and visited over 60 countries. They met many other world travelers and remained in touch with many of them.
Will was diagnosed with early stage dementia in the summer of 2012. It advanced extremely quickly, and on July 30, 2014, he entered the Veterans Home in Milford, Delaware.
Will is survived by his partner, Forrest Park; two sisters, one brother, eight nephews and nieces, and nine grand-nephews and nieces.
Alan Teitzman
Dr. Alan B. Teitzman, who practiced general dentistry and orthodontics on Capitol Hill for more than three decades, died Jan. 1 at Sibley Memorial Hospital.
He was 62 and died after a brief illness, according to his partner of 40 years, Richard Fennell, with whom he lived in Washington. Burial was at Star of David Memorial Cemetery in North Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 6.
Teitzman received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida at Gainesville and was a graduate of the Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington. Beginning in 1986, he joined in practice with Dr. Robert Hood, with offices two blocks from the U.S. Capitol. Among their patients were members of Congress and the Supreme Court and numerous congressional staffers over the years.
Teitzman was born March 23, 1954, in New York City, and grew up in Hollywood, Fla. He was preceded in death by his parents, Michelle Galutin Teitzman and Philip Teitzman, and by a younger brother, Larry Teitzman.
In addition to husband Rich Fennell, he is survived by three cousins, Richard Nassau of New York City, and his wife Lori; Ian Nassau of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Steven Nassau of Lauderhill, Fla. Teitzman is also, according to Fennell, survived by “his beloved Westie,” MacDougal, also known as “Doogie.”
Teitzman was an avid runner and enjoyed travel, dogs, vacationing at Rehoboth Beach, volleyball and movies.
Commemorative gifts can be made to the Washington Humane Society and Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary. Plans are being made for a memorial service in Washington, at a date to be determined.