Virginia D. Stenley

Virginia Dreyer Stenley, aged 88, passed away at her home in Keysville, Maryland, on July 6, 2026. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Donald Lee Stenley, in September 2021.

Virginia was born on November 3, 1937, in the Anneslie section of Baltimore County, Maryland. She was the daughter of the late Frank Vernon Dreyer Jr. and Hilda May Thomas, stepdaughter to the late Boudinot Stockton Loney Davis, and sister to the late Robert Edwin Dreyer Sr.

Virginia attended Stoneleigh Elementary School, Towson Junior High School, and graduated from Towson Senior High School in 1955. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics from Western Maryland College in 1959. It was there that she met Donald. They were married in Baker’s Chapel on August 22, 1959.

In addition to raising her family, Virginia taught school and substituted at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and in Carroll County, Maryland. She and Donald ran an antique business, Hodge Podge Antiques, from 1966-1980. She was the co-leader of the Terra Rubra 4-H Club. Before retiring in 1991, she worked as a title searcher for Hoffman & Comfort.

Virginia had a passion for family genealogy and local history. She and Donald restored homes in Keysville, Taneytown, and Snow Hill, Maryland. They hosted numerous house tours of their Taneytown home. She was the author of Keysville Historic Reflections, written for the Bicentennial. She also abstracted the Chancery Books of Carroll County, Maryland (Volumes 1-20 and Volumes 21-40). Virginia was a charter member of the Taneytown Heritage Committee and served on the board of directors for the Historical Society of Carroll County.

Throughout her life, Virginia enjoyed sewing, needlework, building miniature room boxes, painting, and puzzles. She also shared a love of dogs and cats with her late husband.

Virginia is survived by her son, Tom Stenley (Kim), of Taneytown, Maryland; daughters, Darcy Winer, of Westminster, Maryland; and Amy Murphey (Darren), of Keysville, Maryland. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Jessica Badiang (Jason) of Ocean Pines, Maryland; Megan McDonald (Paul) of Westminster, Maryland; Justin Cahill (Brandi) of Westminster, Maryland; Lauren Haines of Taneytown, Maryland; Ethan Stenley of Taneytown, Maryland; and Sarah Murphey of Keysville, Maryland. In addition, Virginia is survived by 10 great-grandchildren: Lavender Hill, Marley Hill, Price Hill, Rilee Hoy, Reis Jaeger, Roman Jaeger, Kirby Cahill, Cole McDonald, Delaney McDonald, and Bowen McDonald.

Virginia brought kindness, strength, and warmth to those around her. She shared her love and deep knowledge of genealogy and history with many people around the world. She will be greatly missed and remembered with love by her family and friends.

The family will receive friends Monday, July 13, 2026, from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 136 E. Baltimore Street, Taneytown, 21787. A private burial service will take place at Keysville Union Cemetery the following day.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Virigina’s memory to either the Taneytown Heritage and Museum Association, Inc. at 340 East Baltimore Street, Taneytown, MD 21787, or to BridgingLife at 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.