Jeffrey David Scott

Jeffrey David Scott, 73, of Westminster, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at Carroll Hospital Center surrounded by his loving family. His long battle with serious health issues demonstrated his courage and positive attitude in facing life's challenges until the end. He was born on July 15, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland to David Arthur and Elizabeth Billingslea Scott. He grew up in Westminster, Maryland as the oldest of four siblings. He married his wife, Susie, in 1971 and they had two daughters. Jeff graduated from Westminster High School in 1966 and Dickinson College in 1970. A highlight of his college experience was participating in a study abroad program in Bologna, Italy for his entire junior year. The same year, Susie was studying abroad in Switzerland, and though they had known each other since seventh grade, their love blossomed during that time and they celebrated their 50th anniversary last summer. He went on to study law at Northwestern University and University of Maryland and began practicing Estate and Trust law in Westminster. He started at Dulany and Davis in 1974 and went on to open a practice with Marc Rasinsky in 1992. After four years Marc was appointed a judgeship and Jeff practiced solo until merging with Hoffman, Comfort & Offutt in 2005. He semi-retired in 2013 in order to pursue his calling to become a pastor. He was ordained in 2017 and able to serve as interim pastor for two churches as well as associate pastor for his congregation, which gave him immense joy. When his physical health suddenly declined in 2015, the congregation at Friendship Church of the Brethren lifted him up figuratively and literally every Sunday. He was an active member of the community and served for many years on the Planned Giving Committee of Carroll Hospital Center and as chair of Carroll County Human Rights Advisory Committee for the protection of developmentally disabled individuals. He was instrumental in assisting the ARC by conducting Special Needs Trust planning which benefitted many families. Jeff also represented the Department of Social Services in connection with the adoption and long-term care of minors before the Circuit Court. His faith has always been one of the most important aspects of his life and he was very involved in the congregation at the Westminster Church of the Brethren. His roles there included board chair, leadership team member, organizer for soup kitchen, congregational moderator, and the first non-singing lead role in a musical, among others. He sought to help out however he could, and in his humility at one point decided he would take on the responsibility of regularly keeping the grease trap in the church kitchen cleaned out. As a church leader, he was not afraid to tackle difficult issues, and used his skills as a conscientious communicator to lead the church in difficult but necessary discussion on a variety of topics. He had a gift for bridging the divide amongst individuals and groups, able to bring people with different political, religious, and cultural backgrounds together in meaningful discussion. Jeff was an avid reader and student of history. He greatly enjoyed his role of delivering the Gettysburg Address on many Memorial Days. He was a passionate Orioles and Ravens (after the Colts) fan and was well-known for being able to give play-by-plays from games long ago. He enjoyed traveling and in 1973 after taking the bar exam he and Susie took all their funds except the following month's rent to go back to Europe for a month. He was grateful for many family reunions, family trips and a lifetime of traveling with Susie. Jeff was a conversationalist, and his many life-long friends are a testament to his character and genuine love of people. He is survived by his wife Susie (Elvie Beamer) Scott; daughter Lauren Janssen (Zelda Eltzroth and son Evander), daughter Janna (Ryan) Cleary; grandsons Jeffrey and Oliver Janssen, Brooks and Holden Cleary; sister Julia (Max) Irick, of Louisville, KY, sister Susan (Marcus) Rackley of Overland Park, KS, and brother Charles (Patty) Scott of Spokane, WA; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 91 Willis Street, Westminster, MD 21157 on Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 11 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm. A memorial service will be held at Westminster Church of the Brethren, 19 Bond Street, Westminster, MD 21157, on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at 3 pm with visitation at 2pm prior to the service. Pastor Glenn McCrickard will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Westminster Church of the Brethren or Carroll Hospital Center Foundation, Attn: Foundation Office, 200 Memorial Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.