Obituary of Elizabeth Joyce Summers

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Elizabeth Joyce Summers was born on September 27, 1942, in Cumberland, Maryland. She died on

April 9, 2023, with her family beside her. Joyce was preceded by her sister, Carolyn Spray

and her grandson Carter Smith. She is survived by her ex-husband, Lanny Gilbert, her

children, Elizabeth Smith, her son-in-law, Scott Smith, and her granddaughter, Lily Smith;

her son, Robert Gilbert, her daughter-in-law, Brenda Gilbert, and her two grandchildren ,

Robbie Gilbert and Alexander Gilbert. Joyce is survived by her three brothers, John

Perdew, his wife, Barbara Perdew, and their two daughters, Laura Perdew and Alison

Maasdorf and their families; brother, Tom Haddock, his wife, Dee Cascio, and his three

children from his previous marriage Karen Haddock, Brian Haddock, and Greg Haddock;

Her brother, Ed Haddock and his wife, Patricia. She is also survived by her deceased sister

Carolyn's two sons, Wade Spray and Brad Spray and their families.

Joyce graduated from Catonsville High School in 1960. After graduation, Joyce completed

Patricia Stevens Finishing School. In the fall of 1960, she began taking classes at the

University of Baltimore and married Lanny Gilbert on September 9, 1965.

Joyce moved to California after she married and became interested in Montessori. When

she returned to the Washington, D.C. area, she trained in the Montessori Method at the

Washington Montessori Institute, AMI, and began her teaching career. Joyce and her

husband opened their first Montessori school in 1971. Joyce then opened several other

schools in the area. She loved children and enjoyed watching them learn, love, live, and

thrive using the Montessori method. She has lived her Montessori legacy and passed this

on to both of her adult children, Elizabeth and Robert, who along with their spouses have

opened and manage their own Montessori schools.

Joyce loved the beach, every summer she could be found in her yellow beach chair spending

time with her friends and family, reading her favorite books, and soaking up the rays in

Ocean City, MD.

On major holidays, Joyce's home hosted family and friends celebrating and being together.

Joyce enjoyed traveling with family and friends and loved the experience of it all. Joyce also

enjoyed going on road trips and numerous adventures with her three brothers.

Joyce volunteered in her children's schools and helped her community by taking seniors to

doctor's appointments or driving for Meals on Wheels. Joyce was an active member in the

Reston Newcomers Club where she was introduced to Mahjong and Canasta. Joyce and

her friends met and played often to have fun, relax, and share in life's highs and lows.

Joyce will be missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.

The celebration of Joyce's life will be on April 22, 2023, at 10:30 am at Adams Green

Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street,, Herndon, VA.