It is with deep sadness that the LAMSFA announces the passing of our 1998 – 1999 Past President, Joan Irene Cumberland, 85, of Westminster died Sunday, May 21, 2023, at Carroll Hospital.
Born March 14, 1938, in Westminster, she was the daughter of the late Helen Weist Shaffer. She was the loving wife of 55 years to Robert P. “Bob” Cumberland.
Joan was a 1956 graduate of Westminster High School. She retired from Bendix where she worked as a switchboard operator. She also worked for C& P Telephone, Westminster Answering Service and drove a school bus for George Harris.
She was known as a wonderful wife and a very hard-working woman. She was a friend to many that respected and looked up to her for her leadership and advice. She was an immense support to her husband, Bob, and all of his activities, including playing softball in two leagues and his active service as a volunteer fire fighter for Westminster Fire Department, all while he worked a full-time job.
Joan was very active with the former Ladies Auxiliary of Westminster Fire Department, working bingo and serving food, helping with banquets, dinners and other fund raisers to support the fire department. After the Westminster auxiliary discontinued, Joan joined the Winfield Ladies Auxiliary and would help them whenever she could.
She became President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Carroll County Firemen’s Association and President of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association from 1998 – 1999, which took her 13 years to advance to that position. She also served as President of the CCVESA Past Presidents Club, Secretary for the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association and Past President of the Auxiliary to the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, for many years. Over those years, she traveled with Bob and was active in the MSFA and the National Volunteer Fire Council and made many friends along the way.
Surviving, in addition to her husband are sons Steve D. Warehime and wife Terri, Craig A. Warehime, Tim J. Warehime and wife Linda all of Westminster; stepdaughter Barbara Lynn Gieselman and husband Mark of Westminster; grandchildren Danielle, Brandon and Tamara Warehime, step-grandchildren Jessica and Jason Gieselman and great-grandchildren Josh Heir and Cameron Warehime.
In addition to her mother, Joan was predeceased by sons Michael and Dennis Warehime and grandson Kevin Warehime.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Rd., Westminster from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Funeral service will be held on Friday, June 2nd at 11:00am, where the family will also receive friends one hour prior to the service. Deacon Charles Barnhart, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Meadow Branch Cemetery, Westminster. The funeral service will be livestreamed, for those who are unable to attend. Please visit www.prittsfuneralhome.com and choose the Livestream link on the homepage to attend virtually. The livestream will begin a few minutes before the start of the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made, in memory of Joan, to the Bessie Marshall Benefit Fund, supporting the needs of MSFA members who are ill or injured, not in the line of duty, c/o Lori Denbow, 103 Brotherton Court, Havre de Grace, MD 21078.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.prittsfuneralhome.com (http://www.prittsfuneralhome.com/)
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