HAZEL “JEANNE” PARKS, 92, of Deale, Maryland, passed away on January 20, 2024, following a lengthy illness, at her daughter’s home, in Edgewater, Maryland, with her husband, Don and daughter, Donna, by her side. She was born on May 9th, 1931, in the District of Columbia, to Carleton and Hazel Tilghman Pettit. She was raised in Seat Pleasant and attended Maryland Park High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Donald Hunt Parks, on November 1st, 1947. They lived and raised their family in Masons Beach, Deale, Maryland, where they continue to hold residence.

Jeanne worked at Wheeler’s Hardware in Deale when her children were older, and went on to work at Economy Supply in Annapolis, later retiring after working at Smith Building Supply, in Shadyside.

One of her passions was ballroom dancing, with her favorite partner and love of her life, Don. She was a constant co-pilot/navigator for her husband, in their Cessna, for many years. She loved life around the water, having grown up in the summer months at her family’s cottage on the bay in Cedarhurst, Shadyside, Maryland. While being courted by her sweetie, Don, as teenagers, they spent wonderful moments on the Chesapeake Bay, boating, swimming, fishing and crabbing, with relaxing shared moments enjoying the sweetness of youth, on the wrap-a-round porch, watching sunrises and sunsets… listening to the gentle waves, lapping.They continued that life along the bay and creeks their entire lives. Throw in a little bingo and slot machines, Dover Downs, bowling, cruise ship travels to South America and traveling along the East Coast… with her children always close by, she lived a life rounded out by all that she loved.

Jeanne was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Hazel Pettit, her son, Paul Alan Parks, and three siblings, Robert Pettit, Margaret Pettit Moore, Nancy Pettit Gallagher McDonald and one son-in-law, Frank Stelljies. She was survived by her husband of 76 years, Don, having been sweethearts for 79 years. She is survived by her children, Donna Gerard, Claudia Stelljies and Ken Parks and her daughter-in- law, Linda, 5 grandchildren: Laura (John), Jason (Liz), Amanda (Chip), Aaron (Kirstin), Morgan (Scott), 8 great grandchildren: Justin, Sarah, Hunter, John, Avery, Carson, Jareth and Quentin, AND two great, great grandchildren, Elijah and Sophia, her sister-in-law, Maria Pettit, and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Don and Jeanne will be held Friday, April 26th, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Happy Harbor Restaurant, 533 Deale Road, Deale, Maryland 20751. It will be a time for friends and family to share memories, delicious food and photo moments throughout their amazingly long lives… 95 for Don and 92 for Jeanne and their 79 years together as sweethearts! Their children, Donna Parks Gerard, Claudia Parks Stelljies and Ken Parks and their families look forward to seeing you, to say their final goodbyes.