Nora "Sugar" B. Garman

Nora "Sugar" B. Garman age 80 passed away peacefully Sunday Nov. 29, 2015 at the Mandrin House Hospice near her home in Crownsville, MD. Born Dec. 29, 1934 in Tacoma Park, MD she was the daughter of the late James William and Nora Ella Berngen Bollinger and wife of the late Louis "Doc" W. Garman who died in 1998.
She is survived by three sons, Doug Garman and wife Lori of Rochester, NY, Dave Garman and wife Allison of Jefferson, MD and Dick Garman and wife Holly of Crownsville, MD and her siblings, Doris Jenkins of Woodbine, MD, Nancie Wolfe of Philadelphia, PA and Dollye Ott Rapp of Clermont, Florida and grandchildren, Tina, Paul, Chris and Daniel. She was predeceased by a grandson, Andy Garman and brothers, Vernon, Robert and William Bollinger.
Growing up as a hard-working farm girl in Reisterstown instilled a lifelong work ethic. She worked her way through Bridgewater College to earn a teaching degree then taught 1st and 2nd grades in Baltimore and Anne Arundel County prior to raising a family. Throughout Nora/Sugar's adult life she devoted her gifts of teaching, optimism, determination and generous spirit to relentless and abundant service to others. As a leader, dynamo and mentor within local, regional and global ministries of Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church and St Martins Lutheran Church and Boy Scouting's Capitol District she instilled a contagious dedication within groups and got things done. Her selfless volunteerism benefitted the USNA Sponsorship Program, Meals on Wheels, AAMC Joint Center, Cancer Support Group, homebound visitation, international exchange programs and countless other callings, furnishing a living model of the Golden Rule. As age limited her capabilities her resolve to sew three quilt-tops each week for the AELC quilting ministry strengthened.
Sugar/Nora greatly enjoyed extending hospitality to visitors at her home and waterfront. She delighted in waking up to find the beds, floors or backyard occupied by Midshipmen, Scouts, family, friends and their guests. For 58 years, her perpetually-open door welcomed thousands from all over the world.
The loving care and companionship of her family, extraordinary caregiver Kelly Alvarez and her toddling sidekick Maison enabled Miss Sugar to battle creeping dementia and remain blessedly active and happy in her home and giving back to her community.
The family will receive friends on Thursday Dec. 3, 2015 from 3-5 and 7-9pm. at the Eckhardt Funeral Chapel, P.A. 11605 Reisterstown Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117. Funeral services will be held on Friday Dec. 4, 2015, 11:00am. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 109 Main St., Reisterstown, MD 21136 followed by interment at St. Paul's Church Cemetery, Upperco, MD. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to the AELC Building Fund c/o Annapolis Evangelical Lutheran Church 1203 West Street, Suite F Annapolis, MD 21401, the Alzheimer's Association at P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090 http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp, or the BSA Troop 771 Doc Garman Fund c/o St Martins Lutheran Church 1120 Spa Rd, Annapolis MD 21403. Online condolences may be offered at www.eckhardtfuneralchapel.com.