Janet E. Dryden

Janet Elizabeth Dryden, aged 74, of Salisbury, MD, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Snow Hill, MD. Born in Salisbury, MD, and raised in Newark, MD, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Alberta Dryden.
She was raised on the family farm in Newark and enjoyed growing up with all the animals and responsibilities that come along with farm life. In her youth, she was active in the local 4H club, where she would proudly show off her Black Angus beef cows and was even a former Worcester County Farm Bureau Queen. Growing up, she was also involved in the Methodist Youth Fellowship and a confirmed member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Newark.
She attended Snow Hill High School, and upon graduation, she decided to follow in her mothers footsteps of teaching and attended Salisbury State College, where she graduated with a masters degree in education. Shortly after college she was employed as a teacher at Whaleyville Elementary School, where she would remain until her sons were born.
Janet put her career on hold and made the decision to fully dedicate herself to raising her two boys. She loved her boys immensely and was always involved with volunteering at their school and sporting activities. Always teaching and always a positive role model, she was an exceptional mother. Not to mention she was a great neighborhood mom to all her sons friends. Always making sweets, sandwiches, and lemonade for hard-playing, active boys. She would think nothing of it to carry them to a movie or Little League game. Additionally, she would let us kids use her backyard as a sanctuary for turtles, bullfrogs, or any other critter we could catch out of the neighborhood pond.
As time went by and her sons became teenagers, she decided to go back into the school system, working at Prince Street Elementary and Glen Avenue Elementary, where she would eventually retire as an Education Assistant. She had a passion for teaching and loved seeing the children every day.
In her spare time, Janet loved going out with her group of friends. Around once a week they would get together and go out to dinner or maybe catch a movie. She always enjoyed being around her circle of friends. A highlight of each year was when her best friend from college, Jo, would come down from PA to visit in the summertime. The beach in Ocean City was always a favored destination. Another special friend was Robin Price. She and Janet would frequently head to the beach for the day or have an outing. Janet enjoyed being around Robins father as well. Both Jo and Robin held a special place in Janets heart.
She also loved music. Every February she was so excited to take her sons and grandchildren to the Rock N Roll Revival. She always enjoyed the show and thought the students were so talented.
However, her two greatest loves were for the Lord and for her family. She thought the world of her two sons and loved them immeasurably. She took great satisfaction watching her family grow with the addition of grandchildren. Always there to help and spend quality time with her grandchildren, she always found fun things for them to do. There was never a time that she wasnt there for them. Never missing any sporting event, recital, birthday party, or graduation, she was a steadfast Mom-Mom. The family gatherings she hosted were always the best. She was sure to have plenty of her delicious homemade cooking and enough of it for everyone to take something home. Her grandchildren adored her and loved being driven around in her white Ford Mustang, her favorite car. Ever the teacher and always setting a great example for them to witness through her kindness; she leaves a void that can never be filled and will be greatly missed. We were truly blessed to have called her our Mom and Mom-Mom. Her kindness and selfless devotion to her family will forever be her legacy.
She leaves behind her two loving sons, Dean D. Pusey (Sonya) of Fruitland, MD, and Dale D. Pusey (Cristy) of Salisbury, MD; an adoring and loving sister, Beverly Wilkerson (Robin) of Newark, MD; and six grandchildren, Dylan Pusey, Trevor Pusey, Hannah Pusey, Aiden Pusey, Morgan Carbaugh, and Camryn Carbaugh. In addition, she is survived by two great-grandchildren, little Peyton Pusey and Carter Pusey. She also leaves behind her special little dachshund, Libby.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home, located at 208 W Federal St in Snow Hill, MD. A visitation will be held one hour prior, from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Pastor Jack Andrews will officiate. Interment at Bates Cemetery in Snow Hill, MD, will immediately follow the service.
Letters of condolence can be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Coastal Hospice. Arrangements are in the care of The Burbage Funeral Home, Snow Hill.