Carol D. Albert

Carol Ann Deets Albert, age 77, of Havre de Grace, MD passed away peacefully on February 26, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. Born December 12, 1938 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, she was the daughter of the late William Charles Deets and Ruth (James) Deets.

Carol grew up on Harvey's Lake, PA where she developed a life-long love for nature, became an accomplished swimmer, and refined her artistic and musical gifts. After graduating from Lake-Lehman High School in 1956, she attended Kutztown University and earned her B.S. in Art Education in 1960. Carol's first job was at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA where she was hired as the school's first art teacher, developing the curriculum for and teaching students in grades K through 9. She went on to teach art history at Lebanon Valley College in Lebanon, PA and elementary art in the Annville-Cleona School District. In 1962 she married Roy ("Skip") Albert.

Carol moved to Maryland in 1965 and continued to pursue her passion as an artist while raising a family with Skip. After seeing an advertisement in The Aegis that fellow community artists were forming an association, Carol became a founding member of the Harford Artists' Association. She also continued her commitment to teaching by conducting painting seminars throughout the region and instructing art classes at both Harford and Essex Community Colleges. In 1977, Carol opened Sunshine Studio in Benson, MD where she taught art classes, sold supplies and paintings. After closing her studio and inspired by the joy of learning, Carol attended Towson University and earned a Master's Degree in Art Education in 1986. She went on to teach art at Joppatowne High School and in the Baltimore County School System at both Seneca and Chase Elementary Schools.

Throughout her life, Carol was active with numerous local and national organizations supporting artists and the art community. She was a member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society, National League of American Pen Women, Society of Decorative Painters, Watermark Gallery, Rehoboth Art League, York Art Association, and Cecil County Arts Council. She also served on the Bel Air Cultural Arts Commission and the Harford County Culture Arts Board. As part of her work in the community, Carol initiated the first art sale to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Annapolis. Carol's paintings can be found in numerous private collections as well as at the Steppingstone Farm Museum in Havre De Grace, MD; Carter-Archer Mansion in Susquehanna State Park, MD; Tidewater Inn in Easton, MD; and Christ Our King Presbyterian Church in Bel Air, MD. She exhibited her work at the Arts by the Bay Gallery, RiverView Gallery, Watermark Art Gallery, and other galleries and spaces in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

Carol enjoyed the splendor of the Chesapeake Bay, was an avid boater, and served as a President of the Bush River Yacht Club Auxiliary. Her love for nature extended to her home and when not painting in her studio, she could often be found tending to her herb and "English-style" gardens. Carol also loved music and was an accomplished pianist with a range of musical tastes as broad as her artistic talents. She found as much joy playing the works Frédéric Chopin, her favorite composer, as she did "American Standards" for sing-alongs with friends. She also sang as a member of the choir at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her husband, Roy, she is survived by her two sons John P. Albert and his wife, Michelle, of Ellicott City, MD and Peter J. Albert of Los Angeles, California. She has twin granddaughters Lauren and Katherine Albert.

Those who desire may make a donation to the Carol D. Albert Memorial Fund, c/o Christ Our King Presbyterian Church, 10 Lexington Road, Bel Air, MD 21014.