Jean Merritt Mihalyka

Jean Beaumont Merritt Mihalyka, 91, widow of Eugene E. Mihalyka, MD and a resident of Cherrystone, VA, died Thursday, March 25, 2010. Born in Baltimore, MD, she was the daughter of Georgie Beaumont Merritt and J. Newton Merritt. Mrs. Mihalyka graduated from Goucher College, Phi Beta Kappa, attended John Hopkins University, and then Enoch Pratt School of Library Science. She belonged to numerous historical and patriotic organizations, including the Northampton County Chapter National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, Eastern Shore Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century, Daughters of the American Colonist and the order of the Crown of Charlemagne. She was a member of the APVA, Virginia Historical Society, and Maryland Historical Society, Eastern Shore of Virginia Historical Society, Anne Arundel County Historical Society, Shipley Association, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University, and the Delmarva Advisory Council and was an honorary member and frequent speaker for the G.H.O.T.E.S. (Genealogical Historical Society of the Eastern Shore). She served as Chair of the Northampton County Joint-Local Planning Commission for 17 years and served as Senior Warden of Christ Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Arlington Foundation, Inc. and helped to purchase the site in Northampton County. Having done years of genealogical and historical research, she wrote a dozen or so books as well as compiling 20 some volumes of Bible Records and tombstones. Mrs. Mihalyka is survived by her son, George Kristofer Mihalyka of Vicksburg, MS and her granddaughter Charlotte Merritt Gibson of Chesapeake, VA. Mrs. Mihalyka was predeceased by her daughter, Jane Beaumont Mihalyka Gibson and her grandson, Kristofer George Mihalyka. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 2:00 PM from the Christ Episcopal Church in Eastville with the Rev. Dr. Robert G. Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Eastern Shore Room of the Public Library, P.O. Box 360, Accomac, VA 23301 or to Christ Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 367, Eastville, VA 23347. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com Arrangements made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home, Cape Charles, VA.