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Felice Schultz

Felice Root Schultz, 96, died Nov. 6 at the home of her granddaughter, Monica Ruppert, in Severna Park, where she had lived since July. Her death was caused by a stroke suffered a week earlier.

Previously Mrs. Schultz was a resident of McKinsey Park condominiums in Severna Park for the past nine years.

She was born on Dec. 21, 1909, into her father's hands during a raging snowstorm on a farm in Wells, Minn., because the doctor was waylaid by the weather. Her earliest years were spent on the working farm. After it was destroyed by a tornado, the family moved to St. Paul, Minn., where she graduated from St. Catherine's High School.

The following year, in 1929, she and her mother, Faye Babette de Lafayette Root, drove to Washington, D.C., where she met Frederick L. Schultz. In 1931 they were married in a double-ring ceremony with her brother Rex L. Root. During the Great Depression and World War II, the couple had three children. Her husband worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. for 40 years which took them to various cities including Cumberland, Baltimore, Atlanta, New York and Morristown, N.J., where Mr. Schultz died in 1971.

A devoted wife and mother, she became the matriarch of her family which also includes 13 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

Her interest in art and archaeology led her to travel across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Having studied at various museum schools, she worked in watercolors, oils and charcoal.

Mrs. Schultz was a member of the Women's Civic League of Baltimore, the Roland Park Women's Club, the Baltimore Country Club and the Severn Town Club. Her favorite volunteer work was at the "Top of the World" at Baltimore's World Trade Center.

For many years she was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore but at age 89 she converted to Catholicism and joined St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Severna Park.

Survivors also include her older brother, B. Preston Root, age 100, of Morristown; her daughter, Emily McGready of Severna Park; a son, Roger Schultz of Jasper, Ga.; and a son, Frederick Schultz Jr. of Takoma Park.

Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401.

As published in "The Capital Newspaper" Annapolis, MD 11/08/2006