Hattie Ann "Ms. Hattie; Hattie Cakes" Kaplan

Hattie Ann Kaplan, age 91, of Port Republic, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2026.

Born on April 1, 1934, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Hattie was the beloved daughter of the late Louis T. Wood and Ruby Butler Wood. She was affectionately known to many as "Ms. Hattie" and "Hattie Cakes," but her most cherished title was simply "Grandma."

Hattie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Melvin D. Kaplan; her son, Ned D. Pierce; her parents, Louis and Ruby Wood; and her brother, Julian Wood.

She is survived by her step-daughter, Anna Kostelni, and her husband Jeff of Williamsburg, Virginia; her granddaughter, Melissa Pierce, and her husband Michael of Port Republic, Maryland; and grandchildren Samantha and Christopher Kostelni of Williamsburg. She is also survived by Lauren Caldwell and Danielle Holland, whom she dearly loved as her granddaughters.

Hattie leaves behind her great-grandsons, Brandon; Christopher and his fiancée Emily; and Mikey. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Fred Kaplan of Port Republic, Maryland, and Bobby Kaplan of Mechanicsville, Maryland.

She is lovingly remembered by her special "daughter," Dana Fratz, and her two very best friends, Patsy Holland and Gaynell Carmack.

Hattie was a strong woman of faith and an active member of Southern Calvert Baptist Church in Lusby, Maryland. She loved the Lord deeply and lived her life guided by her faith.

She found great joy in her garden, where her flowers flourished under her gifted green thumb. Hattie was also well known for her amazing cooking and her generous spirit-she would gladly cook a meal for anyone and make sure it was one they would never forget.

Hattie Ann Kaplan will be remembered for her strength, faith, warmth, and the deep love she had for her family and friends. Her presence will be profoundly missed, but her legacy of love lives on in all who were blessed to know her.