Mrs. Rebecca Thomas Orrick

Rebecca Thomas Orrick passed peacefully on June 15, 2025 at Blakehurst Retirement Community in Towson, MD. A native of Maryland and long-time Baltimore area resident, she was 97 years old.
Rebecca, or Becky as she was known, was born on August 6, 1927 in Westminster, MD. Her parents were William Frank Thomas and Anne MacMaster Lloyd Thomas. She married John Riggs Orrick on June 14, 1952 in Westminster, MD. Together they lived on L'Hirondelle Club Road in Ruxton for over 50 years, in a beautiful Mid-Century Modern home nestled in the woods and perched on a hill, designed by her Architect husband. In 2005 they moved to Blakehurst.
Their son John Riggs Orrick, Jr. was born in 1954, and daughter Anne Orrick Barton was born in 1957. Becky was very proud of her five grandchildren; Becca Magnuson, Karen Orrick, Eliza Orrick, Katie Barton, and Briggs Barton, and one great grandchild, James Magnuson.
Whip smart, she attended St.Catherine's School in Richmond, VA, graduating in 1945, and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, graduating with a BA degree in economics in 1949.
Following graduation from college, after a stint of working in the Statistical Dept of a local insurance company, which Becky remarked was "deadly dull", she took off with several friends to Europe on a Grand Tour of England, Holland, Belgium, France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Ever curious, this incredible trip sparked a love of travel which she continued to enjoy all her life. Her travels took her all over the world.
Upon her return from Europe, she continued to work before marriage, at one point having a fascinating job obtaining security clearances for contractors doing research at John Hopkins Institute for Cooperative Research. As a requirement for this sensitive work, she also had to have security clearance.
With a remarkable intellect and gentle kindness throughout her life, Becky was involved in many community and philanthropic activities, which included serving on the Keswick Board of Lady Managers from 1968 - 1978, the Keswick Board of Directors from 1978-1998, the Central Committee of the Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage from 1985 - 2016, and the Women's Architectural League in the 1970's. She also served on the Vestry and Altar Guild of the Church of the Good Shepherd. Her community volunteerism continued at Blakehurst, where she served on many committees and particularly enjoyed participating in the Blakehurst Scholarship Foundation.
Known for her personal motto of "keep moving," Becky was always physically active. She loved sports, walking vigorously, swimming, paddle tennis and most notably tennis, which she played well into her late 80's. Her analytical acumen helped her become a Bridge and Rummikub aficionado, enjoying friendly competition with her many friends in many groups over the years.
She was married to John Orrick for 56 loving years when he preceded her death in 2008.
Her Memorial service will be held on Saturday July 19 at 11 am at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Ruxton, MD.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1401 Carrollton Avenue, Towson, Maryland 21204 or the Blakehurst Scholarship Foundation, 1055 W. Joppa Road Towson, MD 21204.