Mary J. Woolston, 95, of Catonsville, MD and formerly of Crisfield, died on Monday, June 28, 2010 at Charlestown Retirement Center in Catonsvile. She was born September 27, 1914 in Crisfield, Maryland. She was the daughter of the late Charles M. Woolston Sr. and Willie Mae Landon Woolston. Ms. Woolston was educated in the Somerset County Public School System and graduated from Crisfield High School in 1931.

Ms. Woolston graduated from Salisbury State Normal School, now Salisbury University in 1933. She decided to change her profession to nursing and graduated from Saint Elizabeths Hospital School of Nursing, Washington, D. C. and completed her Bachelor of Science degree from Willimantic State Teachers College in Willimantic, Connecticut. She also did graduate work at the University of Maine and Michigan State University.

Ms. Woolston began her career as a psychiatric nurse at Mount Alto Veterans Administration Hospital in Washington D. C.; moved to become a supervisor-instructor at the Norwich State Hospital, Norwich, Connecticut; and later was the Director of Nurses at the Eastern Shore State Hospital in Cambridge, Maryland.

In 1951, she joined the American Red Cross as a reserve nurse in the Blood Program at National Headquarters. She was later assistant chief nurse in the Cleveland, Ohio, Regional Blood Center and then chief nurse of the Memphis, Tennessee, Defense Blood Center. After serving as the assistant director of nursing services, she was named the Director of Nursing Services for the Red Cross Eastern Area. She retired as Director in 1976.

Ms. Woolston's life was marked by service to the community through her medical skills. She took great pride in her profession and the American Red Cross. She served as mentor to many nurses beginning their careers. She understood the necessity of high standards and maintained them with a sense of humor and a sense of the humane.

Ms. Woolston was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Charles M. Woolston Jr. and William P. Woolston. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Audrey Woolston, her three nieces Mary Dale Dowling, Victoria Smoot, and Adrienne Hyatt; and two nephews, Charles M. Woolston III and Stephen Woolston.

Ms. Woolston will be buried in her beloved city of Crisfield, Maryland. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 2 PM at Immanuel United Methodist Church in Crisfield where friends may call one hour prior. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Stained Glass Window Fund, Immanuel Church, 206 Main Street, Crisfield, Maryland 21817.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home.