By MARY P. FELTER

Community News Editor

Edith "Edie" Fuller Clement, 84, who founded Clement Hardware in Severna Park with her husband, the late David Edward Clement, died Oct. 31 at Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville. She had emphysema.

In 1969 the Clements purchased the business at the corner of Robinson Road and Ritchie Highway in Severna Park and opened their store. For many years Mrs. Clement worked in the business, a fixture in the community which specialized in architectural door, cabinet and bath hardware. The couple sold 90 percent of the company in 1996 to their sons, Jeffrey Lawrence Clement and Gordon D. Clement, both of Severna Park.

Born in Athens, Pa., Mrs. Clement graduated from Sunbury, Pa., High School in 1941. She and Mr. Clement, her high school sweetheart, were married for 53 years before his death a decade ago. In 1976, their closest high school friends began gathering annually, a tradition which continued for 31 years. She was delighted to join the group only three weeks before her death, her family said.

She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1946 with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. During World War II she worked for the Ford Motor Co. in Detroit.

Mrs. Clement was a woman of diverse passions and interests, especially her family. Once her children grew, she broadened her activities. She served for many years as the president of the Crownsville Hospital Center Auxiliary and as an elder of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park. She was active in the Severna Park Rotary's Inner Wheel, the Severn River Garden Club and the Questers antique group.

As her illness developed, she focused increasingly on bettering the lives of others. Throughout her life she was fascinated by birds and trees and was an avid reader.

In addition to her sons, she is survived by two other sons, Charles Edward Clement of Takoma Park and Mathew Wade Clement of Boulder, Colo.; a daughter, Helen Eileen Clement of New York City; a brother, Daniel Laurence Fuller of New Orleans; and eight grandchildren.

Viewing will be from 3 to 6 p.m. tomorrow at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway, where the funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday. Burial will be private. Online condolences may be made to www.barrancofuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.