Elizabeth Rich Trapnell

Elizabeth Rich Flannery Trapnell (Liz) passed peacefully with her children close by on Monday, July 6 at 93 years of age. She was born in Perryville, Maryland in 1921 to Charles Rich and Edwina Rich, nee Richardson. She had a full and vibrant life as a teacher, actor, matriarch (often single mother), and friend to many. She was the last of her generation in both the Flannery and Trapnell clans. Liz, who was talented in both the performing and illustrative arts, graduated from Baltimore’s Western High School. She received a scholarship to the Maryland Institute of Art, where one of her teachers was Hans Schuler. She didn’t graduate, instead marrying a handsome Army officer in World War II – Collins Arthur Flannery. During the war she moved with Captain Flannery as he was posted to Norfolk, Virginia and New York City. Their first child, Colise, was named by combining Liz and Collins. Their second, Michael Collins, was born in New York City, and their third child, Agnes Collins Flannery, in 1950. They lived in Baltimore on Calvert Street in Charles Village. Collins was killed in an auto accident in 1950. To support her family, Liz worked at the Belvedere Hotel, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, as a substitute teacher, and as a teacher/counselor in an acting arts program for challenged teenagers. She was also active in Baltimore area theater. Using Liz Rich as her stage name, she both directed and performed in the melodrama, “The Drunkard” at the Four Corners Restaurant. She was an original member of the Spotlighters troupe, hosting the cast party for their premier play, “Bus Stop” at her home on Wyndhurst Avenue. Elizabeth married Franklin Waters Trapnell Jr., a career Army Officer (Colonel, Ret.). Liz and Frank’s beloved daughter, Emily Marilla Trapnell, was born in Baltimore, which was home-base for this military family. In that phase of her life, Liz entertained and mentored officer’s spouses. She supported her husband in his accelerating responsibilities both as an expert in counter-insurgency and as subject matter expert for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. One of his final posts was at the Johns Hopkins University, where he was in charge of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. With her love of history, Liz was a volunteer/docent for the Baltimore Museum of Art and Savanah’s Scarbrough House. She was an enthusiastic member of Volksmarching clubs and was especially proud of belonging to the Baltimore Star Spangled Steppers. In Texas, her walking efforts from 1982-1984 brought this comment from the 1/41 wives, “Liz, You Walked Across Texas and Into Our Hearts.” She and Frank retired to Manassas, Virginia, where they hosted family and friends and made new friends there. Liz was active in the Woodbine Wood Garden Club and they attended the Trinity Episcopal Church. For her 90th birthday, Frank hosted a spectacular celebration at the Johns Hopkins Club, with nearly 100 in attendance. Frank passed away in 2014, and is still mourned by family and friends. At that time he and Liz had been married for 55 years. Liz is survived by brother Charles Lee Rich, her children Colise Gerard (Flannery) Medved, Michael Collins Flannery, Agnes Collins Flannery, and Emily Marilla Trapnell Coryell; eight grandchildren and by seven great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and their children. From the grandchildren she answered to the name Mum Mum and Oma, and was pleased to add the name G-G Ma for the great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Fisher House Foundation, Inc., 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850 in loving memory of Elizabeth Rich Flannery Trapnell.

Elizabeth Rich Trapnell

November 10, 1921 - July 6, 2015