RoxAnne Riddle Cumberland
July 5, 1953 – November 22, 2023
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RoxAnne Riddle Cumberland died peacefully on November 22, 2023 with her family beside her after a heroic battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born on July 5, 1953 in Gloucester, Massachusetts to Marvin and Nadine Riddle. When she was four years old, the family, including brothers Robert (Bobby) and William (Billy) and sister Terry, moved to Solomons, Maryland, where they were raised. She attended Our Lady Star of the Sea and graduated from Calvert High School. After graduation, she worked as an executive in an employment agency in Washington, D.C. Upon her marriage to Laurence (Larry) Cumberland, she moved back to Calvert County and retired from her first career.
RoxAnne then followed in her father’s footsteps in public service, serving as a member of the Calvert County Planning Commission for two terms and as President of the Board of Governors of the Calvert Marine Museum. She was also Director of Development for her husband’s law firm, Cumberland & Erly, LLC in Prince Frederick, Maryland. For years, she hosted the annual Calvert County Medical Society v. Calvert County Bar Association (known as Doctors v. Lawyers) softball tournament.
While her heart was always in Calvert County, RoxAnne loved to travel and focused on her three treasured places abroad: Paris, Provence, and Venice. She had a favorite place to stay in each. Eventually, she found her second heart with Larry in the Florida Keys and spent several months each year at their home there.
She loved being on or under the water and would, if she could, be out before sunrise and back after sunset. It did not matter if she was rock-fishing or cruising in the Chesapeake Bay, or fishing or SCUBA diving the coral reefs in the Keys. She was an expert fisherman. In her lifetime, RoxAnne tangled with the most fearsome of ocean dwellers, two Great White and one Mako shark, as well as a Marlin (which she landed) and countless Grouper. Her specialty, however, was Yellowtail Snapper: she would consistently catch more and bigger Yellowtail than anyone else in the boat. When she and Larry took their boat from Key West across the Gulf Stream and back for a stay in Havana, her only regret was that she did not get to stop and fish.
RoxAnne was especially beloved by family and friends for her self-taught blend of gourmet and home-style cooking. She specialized in her fresh-caught fish, oysters, crabs, pastas, ribs of all kinds, and after her visits to Europe, green salads and homemade vinaigrettes. She adored passing on her fish-scaling and cooking skills to her children and grandchildren.
Whenever RoxAnne traveled or whatever she did, her focus was first on her large family. She was its center. Tirelessly and lovingly, she cared for her parents through their elder years and then for her in-laws, John and Charlene Cumberland. Meanwhile, she helped her four children through high school, college and their graduate degrees. She loved doting on her grandchildren most of all, spoiling them as best she could.
RoxAnne was an extraordinary woman and a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She will also be remembered for being utterly fearless (despite small in stature), letting out only a small shriek when the Great White on her line came up at her out of the water. She even held on to the fishing rod.
RoxAnne is survived by her husband, Laurence W.B. Cumberland, Esquire; her brother, Hon. Robert B. Riddle; her nephews Lance Riddle and Michael Riddle; her niece Kaitlin Riddle, her daughter Cherrie Cumberland Webb, MS, CRNP (grandchildren Erin and Kate Webb); her son Joseph L. Cumberland, MBA (grandchild, Hammett Cumberland); and her daughters Sally Cumberland Brown, MMC, MBA (grandchildren Bruce and Blake Brown) and Emily C. Cumberland, Esquire.
Ceremonies in RoxAnne’s memory will be private. In lieu of flowers, the Cumberland family kindly requests donations in RoxAnne’s honor to the American Cancer Society or any foundation supporting ovarian cancer awareness and research.
Visitation
Services
- Private
No Services Available
Interment
- Private
Contributions
American Cancer Society
405 Williams Court, Suite 120
Baltimore, MD 21220
800-227-2345
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Quite a shock. Extremely sad that such a ‘special’ and talented person has passed. Met Roxanne many years ago, and after all these years, time did not change her pleasant and outgoing demeanor. Larry, you have our heartfelt symphany. Nick and Donna Nichols.
RoxAnne was a beautiful and sweet person. I grew up for a while with her and her brothers and sister, I spent a lot of time at there house on the base in Solomons. Our parents where such close friends. RIP and give my friend Terry a hug from me. Rita Hidalgo Buckmaster
Anne and I are very saddened with RoxAnne’s passing….we will always remember her laughs at our “Cowdog Saloon” in Breton Beach on occasion. Never a Happy time when these things happen but can find a bright thought that she is in a Happier place where God has prepared for us to continue our Journey in Life…
Thoughts and Prayers to you Larry and Family.
Wayne and Anne Davis
I had the pleasure of attending Junior High and High School with RoxAnne in Prince Frederick. Though it has been 52 years past I still remember her as a young lady with lots of spunk. I am glad to see she was able to visit Italy as she had expressed in our senior yearbook. Please accept my deepest sympathies on her passing.
Laurence,
Nancy and I are deeply saddened by Roxanne’s passing. Our heart goes out to you in particular, after seeing the effort both of you put into Charles Gift, in the fond hope to spend many years together there, a wonderful and deeply historical place. I (Kent) in particular was greatly impressed by what a poised and intelligent woman she was. I am sad not to have had more opportunity to enjoy that experience more.
Cancer does not discriminate who it seizes, regardless of the success and wel- being of its victims. Roxanne was not alone in her battle but I know how hard it was for you as well, given the vast responsibilities you have in your practice, the tension and struggle for your clients while facing the struggle and loss of a loved one. I have metastatic cancer too, and my future has that cloud over it as well, though at this point my treatments leave me quite strong and able to work hard despite age.
I mention that only to urge you to pay strong attention to your own health. Your friends and those of us whom you’ve helped with legal aid in the past value immeasurably the value you bring. I’m sincere in this true admiration for what you offer this society of ours. Hang in there and do your good works as you deal with this very hard loss.
Our Very Best to you,
Kent Mountford, PhD, Ecologist and Historian
Nancy Kirk Mountford, MS, Cove, Corporation and Orchids Dominicana SA
Larry: I just found out. I’m shocked and saddened. Rox was my good buddy and roommate. Wish I had gotten to know you better . . . the only time we met when when you dropped Rox off at my house in Fort Lauderdale — and that was at a distance!
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I didn’t know Roxanne well but I knew both parents well. She would have had the best parent’s imaginable these were two of the best role models that I know. I am sorry that she has left us so young.
RoxAnne was a wonderful lady and an old friend. So sorry to hear of her passing. RIP my friend.
Rox was an amazing and caring friend and she was always there for me with some type of advice. I miss my dear friend so much but she will be remembered forever and ever. XOXO
Beth P
Quite a shock. Extremely sad that such a ‘special’ and talented person has passed. Met Roxanne many years ago, and after all these years, time did not change her pleasant and outgoing demeanor. Larry, you have our heartfelt symphany. Nick and Donna Nichols.
So very sad to hear of Roxanne’s passing. Have lots of fond memories from many years ago. Some of which included champagne & what we would call “dead soldiers”. She was a little spitfire! Rest in peace my friend.
RoxAnne was a beautiful and sweet person. I grew up for a while with her and her brothers and sister, I spent a lot of time at there house on the base in Solomons. Our parents where such close friends. RIP and give my friend Terry a hug from me. Rita Hidalgo Buckmaster
Anne and I are very saddened with RoxAnne’s passing….we will always remember her laughs at our “Cowdog Saloon” in Breton Beach on occasion. Never a Happy time when these things happen but can find a bright thought that she is in a Happier place where God has prepared for us to continue our Journey in Life…
Thoughts and Prayers to you Larry and Family.
Wayne and Anne Davis
I had the pleasure of attending Junior High and High School with RoxAnne in Prince Frederick. Though it has been 52 years past I still remember her as a young lady with lots of spunk. I am glad to see she was able to visit Italy as she had expressed in our senior yearbook. Please accept my deepest sympathies on her passing.
Roxanne was so special to me. We had many phone chats and some good times with her and Larry. I will truly miss my Big pine neighbor!
Laurence,
Nancy and I are deeply saddened by Roxanne’s passing. Our heart goes out to you in particular, after seeing the effort both of you put into Charles Gift, in the fond hope to spend many years together there, a wonderful and deeply historical place. I (Kent) in particular was greatly impressed by what a poised and intelligent woman she was. I am sad not to have had more opportunity to enjoy that experience more.
Cancer does not discriminate who it seizes, regardless of the success and wel- being of its victims. Roxanne was not alone in her battle but I know how hard it was for you as well, given the vast responsibilities you have in your practice, the tension and struggle for your clients while facing the struggle and loss of a loved one. I have metastatic cancer too, and my future has that cloud over it as well, though at this point my treatments leave me quite strong and able to work hard despite age.
I mention that only to urge you to pay strong attention to your own health. Your friends and those of us whom you’ve helped with legal aid in the past value immeasurably the value you bring. I’m sincere in this true admiration for what you offer this society of ours. Hang in there and do your good works as you deal with this very hard loss.
Our Very Best to you,
Kent Mountford, PhD, Ecologist and Historian
Nancy Kirk Mountford, MS, Cove, Corporation and Orchids Dominicana SA
Larry: I just found out. I’m shocked and saddened. Rox was my good buddy and roommate. Wish I had gotten to know you better . . . the only time we met when when you dropped Rox off at my house in Fort Lauderdale — and that was at a distance!