DeGeorge, Ellen
Ellen DeGeorge, age 80, passed away November 19 after a brief illness. Born in Washington, DC, to Thomas and Iona Blake, Ellen was a long-time resident of Beltsville, and was living in retirement in Stella, NC when she passed. Along with her business partner, the late Eugene Brewer, she established Brewer and Marshall Opticians in 1977 and was later joined in the business by her son, David Marshall, who continues the business at the original Beltsville location. Ellen graduated from Walter Johnson High School in 1959 and studied for, and attained, her optician’s license at Northern Virginia Community College. She worked for PEPCO as a clerk typist and in several optical retailers before partnering with Mr. Brewer. Ellen was especially successful in fitting eyeglasses for special needs children and her store was, and is, the “go to” referral for several prominent ophthalmologists. Ellen also supported eyewear donations to the Lion’s Club. Her business was favorably reviewed in the Washingtonian and the Washington Post’s Consumer Checkbook multiple times, a tradition her son David continues. Ellen was an adroit crossword puzzler, often defeating the Washington Post’s best efforts to obscure clues, and she was a steady consumer of mystery novels. Her passing leaves a tremendous void in the hearts and lives of those close to her, and her kindness, love, compassion, and gentle spirit are irreplaceable. She is survived by her husband, Thomas DeGeorge, her son David, daughter Kimberly Plumb, stepson Robert DeGeorge, and sister Martha Beach, along with six grand and great-grandchildren. Please consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association in Ellen’s memory.