Verna Marshall Kordack

Vern Kordack of Bedford, New Hampshire died peacefully at her home on November 2, 2021, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

She was born on April 22, 1928, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania the daughter of Samuel Clare and Helen Smeaton Marshall. She attended public schools and was salutatorian of her high school class. Vern graduated with a bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from West Liberty State College in 1949. It was at West Liberty where Vern met her husband, Vincent "Vin" Kordack, a World War II veteran. Theirs was a true love story and on their first date, Vin announced he was going to marry her. In typical Vern style, she smiled and replied, "I'm not going to marry you! I'm working in Kentucky for a year, then buying myself a blue convertible!" They were married on August 26, 1950.

In 1951, Vin and Vern moved to Charles County Maryland, and eventually settled in La Plata where they lived happily for 50 years. Vern worked for the Charles County Health Department from 1951 to 1956 serving as the first dental hygienist for the segregated Black schools. She later worked for the Charles County school system for 25 years, first as a teacher at Lackey High School and then as a teacher and counselor at Milton Somers Middle School. While working full-time, she obtained her master's degree from Bowie State College achieving a life-long goal of hers.

Vern was a faithful parishioner of Christ Episcopal Church serving in many roles including the Vestry (senior warden), Episcopal Church Women, altar guild, and chairing the 100th anniversary celebration of moving the church from Port Tobacco to La Plata. She dedicated countless hours helping others by volunteering for many organizations including: Charles County Retired Teachers Association, Charles County Scholarship Fund, Delta Kappa Gamma, Maryland Retired Teachers Association Board, Garden Club, Charles County Nursing Home and Meals on Wheels.

Vern was incredibly proud of her family which included her son, Vincent "Marsh" Kordack (wife Jamie), her daughter, Susan Kordack Swain (husband Rob), her beloved grandchildren Robert Preston and Reed Kathryn Swain, her brother Howard Marshall and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Vin, and her brother Roy Marshall. Vern leaves behind many beloved friends, co-workers, and former students.

Vern lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many years at her summer home in Virginia, traveling to all 50 states and abroad, playing the piano, reading books, dancing, hosting and attending a good party - always with a bourbon Manhattan in hand.

Visitation will be held at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home on Saturday, November 20 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and a celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, November 21 at 12:30 pm at Christ Episcopal Church, La Plata, Maryland.
A burial at Mount Rest Cemetery will follow the service.

Memorial contributions in Vern's memory can be made to the Christ Episcopal Church Memorial Fund or to Hospice of Charles County.