Margaret Higinbothom



Margaret Higinbothom James, of Havre de Grace, passed away on March 11, 2009. She was 88.
She was born in Ellicott City, MD, to the late Dulany Clagett Higinbothom and the late Elizabeth Cooney Higinbothom.

She was the devoted wife of the late William Smith James, former President of the Maryland State Senate and State Treasurer. She was the loving mother of Honorable Mary-Dulany James, Maryland State Delegate to Harford and Cecil Counties, the late Robert Roy James, and son-in-law Brian B. Feeney. She was the adored grandmother of Evelyn Ann James Feeney, William Grant James Feeney, and Jarrett Rex Dulany James, all residing on the Old Bay Farm, outside of Havre de Grace, MD.

She was the dear sister to the late John Bernard Higinbothom and to the late Honorable Edward Dulany Higinbothom, former Judge of the Circuit Court of Harford County, and the late Russell Joseph Higinbothom. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Dorothy B. Higinbothom, of Bel Air, MD, Mary Russell Higinbothom of Pikesville, MD, and Jocelyn James Butler of Whiteford, MD. Mrs. James is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. James was a graduate of both Bel Air High School and the College of Notre Dame. She worked in a high ranking position as an executive medical secretary at for one of the commanding Generals at Edgewood Arsenal until marrying William and dedicating her time to her husband, children, and to the Old Bay Farm. She made the beautification and upkeep of the farm on of her primary projects, and its beauty today is a tribute to her hard work. She was an avid gardener who was very skilled and adored spending time working with her flowers, fruits and vegetables. She loved to cook and was a gracious hostess, known for putting on welcoming, lavish events in support of her husband's and her daughter's political careers. She was also known for her famous Christmas cookies and other baked goods, which were started at the Thanksgiving Holiday and continued to be sought after through the holiday season. She was the President of the Garden Club and was a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a very active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where she was a lay minister and a Eucharistic minister. Mrs. James was a Master Breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, which were much sought after in the Del-Mar-VA area. She also enjoyed playing Bridge with her friends.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, 2009 from 1-3 and 6-9 PM at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 S. Washington Street, Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 1:00 PM, St. Margaret Church, 141 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, Maryland. Msgr. G. Michael Schleupner will officiate. Interment will be at Grove Presbyterian Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael E. Higinbothom, Joseph R. Higinbothom, Andrew S. Higinbothom, Henry Cronin, John Cronin, and John Butler.

Along with flowers, contributions may be made to either the William S. James and Margaret H. James Memorial Scholarship, which focuses on Health Care Professions, or the E. Roy and Mary S. James Memorial Scholarship, which is for all fields of study. Contributions should be sent to the Harford Community College Foundation, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, Maryland 21014.