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BORN
1947
DIED
2020
Eileen Updike Obituary
Dear daughter of the late Clyde and Clara Marton; devoted sister of Clyde and Clifford "Kip" Marton; beloved mother of Brittany, Adam and Natalie Updike; grandmother of Roslyn, Samuel, Lorelei Flanagan and Charlotte Updike. Dearly loved by a host of other relatives and friends.
Born on January 7, 1947, Muffy graduated from Laurel Highschool and was employed by Fruit Growers Express, where she ran the books and established herself as a smart and independent professional among her male peers. After living some of her most memorable single days with her dearest friends in Forestville, she fell in love with her future husband, Wayne, on the dance floor of Gus and John's nightclub in Camp Springs.
Muffy and Wayne were married for 25 years and had three beautiful children who she affectionately called her "little wart roots". Having a keen sense of business, she started her own daycare, and took pride in providing care and love to babies other than her own. Years later, and following in the footsteps of her mother, she prepared and served thousands of meals to students for more than two decades as a cafeteria worker at Beltsville Academy. Muffy was a legendary storyteller, a fearless protector of her children, and a force to be reckoned with. Courage and humor were key parts of her inimitable personality. It didn't matter who you were, you could count on three things: a belly laugh, a pet name (most popular being 'tender leg of lamb') and a brave feeling that you achieve anything you set your mind to.
As a lifelong collector, with an innate skill for finding a bargain, Muffy had an incredible eye and spent years procuring her favorite things, including mermaids, anything covered in animal print, and Disney music boxes.
Her two most cherished things in this world were her dogs and her beach house. Snuggled up with her fur babes while smelling the salt in the air and listening to rain hit against the tin roof brought her an immense amount of comfort during her most difficult of days. For years, Muffy enjoyed long summer days with her wart roots at her beach house filled with crab feasts, antiquing and hand-dancing in the kitchen. She instilled in each of her children a respect for individuality and a strong sense of self.
Muffy was hilarious, loving, and fierce. She had an unerring sense of character-an uncanny ability to see into other people and understand who they were. She leaves behind family and friends who are better off because of her influence. Rest in peace, Muffstang.
Details for a Life Celebration will be announced in 2021. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Maryland SPCA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eileen Updike
Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.
Janice Miller Bradsher
July 19, 2020
Eileen (Muffy) was a wonderful friend. We went to school together and later we were in a carpool together when we worked in Washington, DC. She was so full of life and so funny. She always had something funny to say. She would also yell out "moose" calls while riding in the van on our way to work. She would just put her head out the window and yell "Moose." I guess everyone was wondering what she was doing, but we understood her and knew she was just playing around. She was living in Laurel when she passed. I also live in Laurel, but we didn't see each other too often. Of course, when you work during the day it is difficult to visit with friends. She was a good friend, and I will miss her. My condolences to the family. So sorry for your loss.......Janice Miller Bradsher
Janice Miller Bradsher
July 18, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Janice Miller Bradsher
Janice Miller Bradsher
July 18, 2020
June 3, 2020
Muffy and I went to school together. Later, we both had jobs in Washington, DC, or nearby there. We were both in the same carpool but worked in different agencies. She was so funny back then. She would actually yell out the window and make this loud yodeling sound. I can't think of how it sounded right now, but I'll have to think about it. It was a long time ago, and my memory isn't so good anymore. One thing she called it was a moose call. She would just holler Moose real loud and kinda make it sound like she is yodeling. This would be in Washington, DC too. She never got in trouble, but I'm sure the people that heard her were wondering what was wrong with her. :-) She had a good sense of humor, and she was a lot of fun. She even had me making the sounds. :-) She was a good person and I liked her a lot. I think everyone liked her. She does live close to me, but I never knew she wasn't doing well. We never really got together. She was a good friend and she will be sorely missed. Thanks for letting me know. Please let me know the funeral arrangements. Janice Miller Bradsher
Janice Bradsher
July 18, 2020
She was a great friend and classmate. She was so full of life and made everyone laugh.
Janice Miller Bradsher
Classmate
Janice Miller Bradsher
July 18, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Janice Bradsher
July 18, 2020
July 17, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Janice Miller Bradsher
July 17, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Janice Miller Bradsher
Classmate
Classmate
Janice Bradsher
July 18, 2020
Muffy and I went to school together. I don't think we went to grade school together. I think it was like in Junior High and High School. Later, when we started working, we somehow rode in the same carpool. I was working in DC, and so was she. She was always so much fun. She loved to tease and was always being funny. I don't think she was afraid to do anything. When we rode in the carpool, she was so much fun. She would actually yell out the window and say Moose. She would hold the Moose part kinda long. I don't know why she picked that word but she would say it pretty loud and drag it on like Mooooose! Some of the people would laugh, but others were afraid when they heard her yell it. It was funny sometimes by the way the people reacted. She wasn't shy that's for sure. :-) We had about 6 people in the Van back then. She really was hilarious at times. We loved it! We always had fun when we had her there with us. I don't think she was afraid to do anything. I later changed jobs so I didn't ride in the carpool anymore. I took the metro then. So, I didn't see her as much anymore. One good thing is that she did live at her mother's house down the street from me. Of course, we both worked so we didn't get together or talk much. We would talk once in awhile, but not often. She was a wonderful person. I think she would do anything for you. Yes, she was a great lady. So, I changed jobs and didn't ride with them anymore. I took the metro which I think I already said. So, I didn't see Muffy very often then. So, later on I retired and have been home ever since. I am so sorry to hear about her death. If we ever find out the arrangements, I would definitely like to go. I hope I was some help. If you have any questions or need more information, please let me know.
Janice Miller Bradsher
July 17, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Janice Miller Bradsher
June 4, 2020
She was a great friend and classmate. She was so full of life and made everyone laugh.
Janice Bradsher
June 3, 2020
Muffy and I went to school together. Later, we both had jobs in Washington, DC, or nearby there. We were both in the same carpool but worked in different agencies. She was so funny back then. She would actually yell out the window and make this loud yodeling sound. I can't think of how it sounded right now, but I'll have to think about it. It was a long time ago, and my memory isn't so good anymore. One thing she called it was a moose call. She would just holler Moose real loud and kinda make it sound like she is yodeling. This would be in Washington, DC too. She never got in trouble, but I'm sure the people that heard her were wondering what was wrong with her. :-) She had a good sense of humor, and she was a lot of fun. She even had me making the sounds. :-) She was a good person and I liked her a lot. I think everyone liked her. She does live close to me, but I never knew she wasn't doing well. We never really got together. She was a good friend and she will be sorely missed. Thanks for letting me know. Please let me know the funeral arrangements. Janice Miller Bradsher
Janice Miller Bradsher
June 3, 2020
June 3, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful friend. I will love you and miss you always. I have wonderful memories of you when we went to school together. We also rode in a carpool for awhile when we were working. You are a wonderful person, and I will never forget the great times we had together. I will miss you so much! Rest in Peace... Janice Miller Bradsher
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Janice Bradsher
June 3, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Janice Miller Bradsher
June 3, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. I will love you and miss you always. I have wonderful memories of you when we went to school together. We also rode in a carpool for awhile when we were working. You are a wonderful person, and I will never forget the great times we had together. I will miss you so much! Rest in Peace... Janice Miller Bradsher
Althea (Jones) Smallwood
June 3, 2020
We use to ride in the same carpool and she had us laughing every day. I remember when she got married and wore tennis shoes with her wedding gown. Only Muffy would be brave enough to do something like that back then. Rest in Peace.
Janice Miller Bradsher
June 3, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Sharon Bowen
May 31, 2020
Words cannot express the sadness I feel to learn of Muffys passing. We were close friends in our senior year at Laurel High. She knew and worked with my husband at Fruit Growers. She was everything spoken of in the obituary. I thought of her often over the years. She would indeed want a celebration of life now. I will always remember you my dear friend.
Pat (Patsy) Ray Dowsett
May 31, 2020
Muffy and I spent many happy days together as teenagers. We were either at the pool, riding our bikes or at each other's house. I'll forever treasure those times. RIP, Muffy. Condolences to the family.
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