Helen Louise Moore

Helen Louise Moore, 96, of Owings, MD passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Mrs. Moore was born March 31, 1930, to Clarence Lele and Edith Elizabeth (Meyer) Harris. She is the wife of the late Richard A. Moore, Sr. of Upper Marlboro, who passed away June 26, 1996, and is survived by one son Richard A. Moore, Jr. of Owings. Mrs. Moore was the sister of the late Paul L. Harris of Brandywine, the late Bernard Harris (Dolly) of Waldorf, MD, and the late Joan McDowell (Albert) of Owings. She is also survived by four nieces and six nephews.

Mrs. Moore spent many years working at the family business, Meadows Market and Restaurant in Upper Marlboro. The grocery store and a warm weather hot dog concession stand was opened by her father in 1947. In 1951, the hot dog stand was replaced by a year-round restaurant which adjoined the store.

In 1952, Helen married Richard A. Moore, who lived and worked on a family tobacco farm about 1.5 miles from the business. Some of the early years of marriage were financially difficult. The couple survived because of their frugality. They grew and butchered their own pigs and chickens. In addition, they had a huge garden and their own milk cow. Mrs. Moore purchased a new chest freezer almost every year early in the marriage. She had three freezers, one for over 1200 pounds of pork, another for about 250 pounds of chicken, and a third for the frozen fruit and vegetables. She also picked wild blackberries and grapes, which she used to make jelly and wine. One year, she picked enough fruit to make over 70 pints of jelly and 2 gallons of wine.

In 1954, a son was born to the couple. Mrs. Moore left the family business to become a full-time housewife. In addition to her housekeeping duties, she worked tirelessly in the tobacco fields with her husband and in-laws. Even in years of failed crops, Mrs. Moore pulled the family through with her strong will and determination. There was a two-year period of two crop failures- a severe drought with a damaging Hurricane Hazel the following year. The family survived almost exclusively on food, dairy products, and eggs grown on the farm. A meal of hot dogs and beans once a month was a true delicacy.

In 1966, in order to supplement the household income, Mrs. Moore returned to her family’s grocery and restaurant business. She had planned to work about 40 hours a week. Within 6 years, the business was having difficulty hiring help. For many years, Mrs. Moore and her brother Bernie worked over 80 hours a week. Her sister, Joan, ran the restaurant. It was truly a family-owned and run business. In spite of the long hours, she enjoyed the work because she was able to meet and converse with all the neighbors on an almost daily basis. The business was sold in 2002.

Mrs. Moore was an avid Washington Nationals fan. She and her son attended almost every National home game between 2007 and 2025. She was a big Ryan Zimmerman fan and owned three replica jerseys with his name on them. Because of her constant presence at the stadium and because she always wore bright Nats themed clothing, she stood out and was easily recognizable. Mrs. Moore enjoyed baseball, even more, she enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people. Over the years, she made many new friends at Nat’s Park. She got to know many of the fans, ushers, concessionaries, and other support staff on a first name basis. Mrs. Moore exchanged addresses and phone numbers with many of them. She enjoyed making phone calls and sending Christmas cards with many of them during the off-season. Due to illness, she was unable to attend any Nats games in 2026. Her absence did not go unnoticed by the stadium staff and the fans.

In 2006, Mrs. Moore and her son sold the family farm in Upper Marlboro. They were essentially forced out by developers. Per agreement with the sale, they were allowed to live there for ten years or until development of the property was scheduled to begin, whichever came first. In 2011, they purchased their current residence in Owings. Mrs. Moore quickly made new friends. One of her fonder memories was the surprise 96th birthday party with cake and ice cream that her neighbors threw for her during her hospitalization at Calvert Health Medical Center in Prince Frederick.

Mrs. Moore was a loyal daughter. She admired her father for the risks and sacrifices that her father made to establish a thriving business. She loved her husband and was extremely proud of the educational and career accomplishments of her son.