Daphne M. Vanderburgh

Daphne Marjorie Joyce Vanderburgh of Nottingham, MD passed away on October 6, 2023 at the age of 93. Born and raised in Porton, Wiltshire, England, she was the daughter of Gwendoline and Osmund Palmer, the eldest of 4 sisters. A real red-headed beauty, her dad affectionately called her Ginger.

In her early twenties while working as a secretary at Porton Down, she met Allan L. West and moved to Maryland to marry and start a family. She worked briefly as a fashion model in Baltimore before they moved to Bel Air. She was a founding member of both Harford Artists Group and the Bel Air Festival of the Arts. Daphne was an accomplished actress and active behind the scenes with Susquehanna Festival Theatre in the 1970s.

In her forties she moved to Denver Colorado and married Oliver Read Whitley. After his death, she found love again and married David Vanderburgh in 1979.  Several years later they moved to Maryland to be closer to her family. Together she and David enjoyed family gatherings, growing flowers and vegetables always taking great pride in their gardens, gourmet cooking adventures, travel and running a small antique business.  The hunt for antiques provided many hours of enjoyment.

Daphne loved watching all her birds, she was an avid Orioles and Ravens fan, enjoying televised games and tennis matches. Her love of painting (especially flowers) continued into her nineties when she passed, and her paintings bring joy to all who see them. In addition, Daphne was an excellent knitter, seamstress and competitive bridge player. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bel Air. She will be fondly remembered by all who knew her as a strong vibrant beauty, a proud outspoken Brit who lived a long, full life.

Daphne is survived by her sister Diana Robertson of Romsey, England, children Karen West Eske (Dave), Jonathan West (Coleen), David JT Vanderburgh (Christine), Elizabeth Ford (Joe), Scott Max, Stephen Vanderburgh, grandchildren Shane West (Alexa), Soura Vanderburgh, Josephine Vanderburgh, Alyssa Miles (Ron), and Troylynn Ford. She had 2 great grandchildren, Josiah, and Alana as well as nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held later. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Liriodendron Foundation.