MARTHA "Jean" RATTI

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Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Montgomery College University of Maryland West Virginia University

MARTHA RATTI Obituary

RATTI MARTHA ENGELBACH RATTI "Jean" Martha "Jean" Engelbach Ratti passed away peacefully on February 06, 2021, in Rockville, Maryland, just shy of 97 years old. She was born on March 19, 1924, in Denver, Colorado, and was the daughter of Miles Vincent and Helen (nee Smyth) Engelbach Jean attended the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School from 1938 to 1941. She later graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Maryland in 1945. Jean joined the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority in her sophomore year and she remained active with the sorority over the years. She shares her membership with her granddaughter, Claire Berghel Mickey. Also, in 1945, Jean married her fellow classmate Edward "Ed" Fraley Smouse and they later moved to his hometown of Oakland, Maryland. There, they raised their five children while Ed managed his family's "Smouse's Market" grocery store. Jean earned her Master's degree in Social Work from West Virginia University before the family moved to Rockville, Maryland, in 1968. Jean had a long and successful career in social work and at the time of her retirement she was the supervisor of home-finding, adoption, foster care, and protective services for the Montgomery County Department of Social Services in Rockville. Jean was a philanthropist, always generously giving back to her church, local theaters, the arts, public television, and the Kennedy Center. She was a regular attendee of plays, concerts, art exhibitions, ballet and the opera. Jean became a world traveler visiting distant lands far and wide. In 1987, Jean and her husband, William Royer, established a scholarship program at Montgomery College in the name of her daughter, Barbara Post (The Barbara Smouse Post and Steven Jay Post Endowed Scholarship). Very early in life, at the age of ten, Jean became a member of the Children of the American Revolution and was active, along with her mother, Helen Engelbach, in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Jean continued their shared love of attending luncheons and meetings with the DAR. Jean was an active member of the Christ Episcopal Church, vol- unteered at the Bargain Box in Rockville, Maryland, was a founding charter member of the Rockville Senior Center in Woodley Gardens, and was a member of the College Gardens Garden Club. Jean's house was always open to her family, friends, as well as strangers alike, as they were all equal in her eyes. A great time was had by all who visited her home over the many years. She was non-judgmental, always gave a second chance (maybe too often), and had a very generous heart. She loved and celebrated every holiday (with the appropriate decorations for each holiday), family birthdays, and special milestones. Jean celebrated life every day, she always sent a card for every occasion, or just because, and she was a wonderful hostess. Jean stayed grounded and often led by example. She always tried to do the right thing and never complained, even when times were very tough for her. She soldiered on through life no matter what came her way, always with her chin up, a cheerful smile, her signature "Love That Pink" Revlon lipstick, which she wore from her teenage years, and had a sparkle in her eye for everyone she met. Jean is survived by her four children, Valerie Mathews, Rockville, MD, Victoria Berghel, Chattanooga, TN, William "Bill" Smouse (Wendy), Montgomery Village, MD, and Charles "Ted" Smouse (Susan), Austin, TX. She has eight grandchildren: Brett Cutshall (Chris), Claire Mickey (Evan), Jack Berghel (Susan), Paige Berghel, Garrett Smouse (Amanda), Andrew Smouse, and Castle Smouse; grandson-in-law Jordan Block (Becky); six great-grandchildren: Maggie and Catherine Mickey; Kate, James, and Paul Cutshall; and Annika Berghel. Jean also left four living stepchildren: Christine Ratti-Sprowl, RADM (Ret.) Steven Ratti (Pam), Julie Ratti Sturm (Capt. (Ret) Frank), Elizabeth Royer Lutz. Also surviving her are twelve step-grandchildren: Lt. Andrew Ratti (Stephanie), Cassandra Ratti Pierandri (Dave), Ruth Sturm (Chris Gruhlke), Luke Sturm, Emily Matthews, Kristina Matthews (Aaron Gallagher), Curtis Cadell, Bruce Lutz, Suzanne Lutz, Russell Mathews (Michelle), Gayla Tinkney (James), and Dave Matthews; and ten step-great-grandchildren; Jeremy, Amelia, Victoria, Alex, Josephine, Kyra, Joseph, Lindsay, Michael and Lucricia. Jean was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Royer Post, and her sons-in-law Steven J. Post and Robert J. Berghel, Jr. She was also predeceased by her stepdaughters Carol Royer Cadell (Bob) and Carolyn Ratti Matthews (Jim), and her three husbands, Edward F. Smouse, William E. Royer, and RADM (Ret.) Ricardo A. Ratti, each of whom served honorably in the U.S. military during WWII. No memorial service has been scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Rockville Senior Center, Community Ministries of Rockville, Maryland, or a charitable organization of your choice.No memorial service has been scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Rockville Senior Center, Community Ministries of Rockville, Maryland, or a charitable organization of your choice.

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Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 11, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for MARTHA RATTI

4 Entries

Elizabeth (Libby) Royer Lutz

Planted Trees

Meg Englander

February 17, 2021

I remember Jean from my earliest childhood. She and my mother, Jean Jackson Englander, were best friends from the year we moved to Oakland in 1946. I remember hearing my mother on the phone, probably several times a day. “Hello Jean? Jean. Why don’t we...” The two Jeans had their babies in the 1950s, pretty much in the same years, so we had matched pairs of Smouse and Englanders through childhood: Marilyn and Valerie, Clair and Vicky, Barbie and Barbie, Wayne and Teddy (or maybe Bill?). Our fathers each owned a store in downtown Oakland, just a block apart. Christmas Day always included visits back and forth; birthday parties always included one or two Smouse children; Sunday School and beach afternoons at Herrington Manor. Jean and Jean were avid bridge players and both were active in the AAUW and the St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Auxiliary. During my mother’s illness in 1957 and until her death in late 1958, Jean Smouse was her loving and devoted friend, and after her death Jean continued to be close to our family through many many years. Always we got birthday cards from her into our adulthood’s. I cannot remember ever not being aware of her caring presence. She was very pretty, always smiling and warm. When I was a young woman starting out as a professional, Jean advised “when you want to show competence and authority in a meeting, wear a tailored suit and heels - but the suit should be pink, and wear lipstick!” She also advised: always have a good winter coat: it is the first thing people see.” She was smart and competent - and often silly and full of fun. Long after I was an adult, she sent me a tape of reminiscences about my mother - a tape I still treasure. I can hear her soft voice even now, and I will miss her, miss knowing she is there, reading good books and talking to her friends, taking good care of her community, making her environment warm and welcoming, loving her large and beautiful family. I send warmest condolences to Valerie, Vicky, Bill, and Ted, remembering Barb and wishing all of you comfort and sweet memories of your truly remarkable mother. Meg Englander

Jean & Adam Shirvinski

February 16, 2021

We are sorry to learn of Jean's passing. We enjoyed knowing Jean and Ric as neighbors and as part of the Coast Guard family. We extend our sympathy to the entire family.
Jean & Adam Shirvinski

Ruthie Logsdon

February 11, 2021

Jean was a very sweet, generous and loyal friend. I went to school with her son Ted at Richard Montgomery HS and worked with him manager/agent for my band. I became a friend of the family and Jean was a wonderful fan of my music sending cards for bdays and my music milestones. She was a real treasure. I remain friends with Ted and his wife Susan and their daughter Castle and Ted’s brother Willie Smouse and sister Val. Sending love and condolences to Jeans friends and family.

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