Dorothy Marie Slater

Dorothy Slater Obituary
Dorothy Marie Slater, of Sandy Spring, MD, suddenly passed away at the age of 81 at Medstar Montgomery on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, after a brief illness. Dorothy Marie was married for 62 beautiful and loyal years to her husband, John Henry Slater, a devoted mother to John (Jay) Slater and Kristen Marie (Slater) Prophet and a doting and loving grandmother to Melissa Slater, Jessica Slater and Donovan Prophet.
Dorothy Marie was born on September 29, 1942, to Chester Arthur Selby and Nettie Viola Bowie. Dorothy was one of 13 siblings, 5 boys and 8 girls. Marie, as she was best known, was the 2nd oldest and was like a second mom to her younger siblings, as she often helped her parents to care for them by cooking meals, baking desserts, taking them on trips to the beach and once she moved to Washington, DC, she would bring her younger sisters for sleepovers and spend the weekends in the city.
Marie attended Lincoln Jr. High School; the only junior high school constructed for black students in Montgomery County. Following the 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, Marie Slater was one of the first black students to integrate Sherwood High School; and she was the 2nd integrated class of black students to graduate from Sherwood in 1959. Marie was a gifted child and completed accelerated classes and was able to graduate high school at the age of 16.
Marie started working for the Federal Government at the Atomic Energy Commission, currently the Department of Energy. Soon after starting work, she was accepted at Howard University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Marie went on to pursue her post graduate degree at University of Maryland College Park and then transferred to Johns Hopkins University where she earned her Masters Degree in Finance.
While at Howard University, Marie met and fell in love with the love of her life, John Slater, where they began their 62-year love story. John and Marie were married at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Olney MD in 1962. They quickly grew their family in 1968 with the birth of their son Jay and two years later their daughter Kristen. Marie also helped to raise her stepdaughter, Gail Boswell, as part of their growing family. As much as she loved her children, it wasn't until her grandchildren were born, that she considered her circle complete.
Marie loved her family and welcomed many family gatherings. She opened her home and her backyard to many weddings, graduation parties, large family reunions, birthday parties and the annual Selby Easter egg hunt.
Marie was a soft spoken, kind, beautiful and gentle woman. As one of oldest of 8 girls, and an aunt to 24+ nieces and nephews, Marie always stepped up as a teacher, a counselor and at times a disciplinarian. She and her sister Shirley were often referred to as "boss" ladies, meaning when these ladies meant business, they had a look that told you that this conversation is done.
Marie took that disposition to work as she was selected for an assignment with the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in Washington, DC, where she prepared the Presidents Fiscal Year 1992 Budget for transmittal to the Congress. After 40+ years with the Federal Government, Marie retired as Sr. Budget Analyst, Office of the Controller, Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Marie immediately took advantage of her early retirement by traveling the globe with one of her closest friends, Ms. Rita. During her retirement years, Marie traveled extensively to Italy, India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Ireland, France to name a few.
Preceded in death by both her parents, Chester and Nettie Selby, her sisters Shirley (Selby) Stewart, Sharon (Cookie) Selby, Margaret (Peggy) Martin, Stephanie Selby, Dona Selby; brothers Chester Selby, Jr., George Selby, and Philip Selby; Nephew, Mark Hill; brother-in-law Edward Lynn.
She is survived by her husband John Henry Slater; son John "Jay" Slater, daughter-in-law, Karen Slater, daughter Kristen Marie Prophet; granddaughters, Melissa Marie Slater and Jessica Elizabeth Slater; grandson Donovan John Prophet; sister Mildred Lynn; Brothers Gregory Selby and Kevin Selby; best friend Roberta (Bert) Greenlee.
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