La Plata remembers ‘Liz’ Raymond for service
Trailblazing councilwoman served for 16 years
The Town Of La Plata has recognized many great leaders, but the legacy of former Ward 3 councilwoman Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Raymond is truly embedded in the community. In light of her recent death, the town remembers that she had a heart to serve her fellow citizens.
Elizabeth died May 18 at Sagepoint Senior Living facility in La Plata at age 89. According to her son, Michael O. Raymond, Elizabeth had Alzheimer’s disease
and spent 16 years at the assisted living home.
“She is a remarkable woman and a champion for women’s rights,” said Michael, owner of Raymond’s Funeral Service in La Plata. “My mother and Louise Winkler were the first two women ever to serve on the town council. They were big advocates for women’s rights. They told the men in this thing, you are going to listen to what women want. The time of the old days is passing and they will hear the women’s sides of the issue.”
Raymond was born in La Plata on Aug. 4, 1927. She was the valedictorian of her 1945 graduating class from Sacred Heart Catholic School and a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
She retired as an administrative secretary with the Prince George’s County Mental Health Department after 28 years of service. She was also the owner and operator of Raymond Dance School for 40 years, a former regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a docent with the Dr. Samuel Mudd House in Waldorf. She also owned Raymond Monuments with her husband, Daniel Raymond, for 30 years.
“My parents were like the couple in the movie ‘The Notebook,’ married right after World War II,” Michael said. “They had their values, great faith, great work ethic and a great need to give back to their community and their town. They instilled that to us three boys and I will forever be thankful.”
Elizabeth Raymond was elected in 1985 to serve as the Ward 3 councilwoman on the La Plata Town Council. She was elected to four consecutive four-year terms, serving for 16 years, from 1985-2001.
“In 16 years, she never missed a meeting and never failed to vote. She was quite proud of that. A lot of people would abstain from voting when it came to touchy subjects, but she told me the people voted her in there to vote yay or nay so she never missed voting. I was proud of her for that,” Michael said.
Michael’s wife Kristina Raymond described Liz as “a fun-loving woman whom everyone wanted to be around.”
“She was a feisty redhead who worked hard every day for her family and her community. She was also a dance coordinator for Port Tobacco Players and for Charles County’s 300th birthday [celebration],” Kristina said.
Raymond will be buried on Friday, May 26, at the St. Ignatius Chapel Point Catholic Church Cemetery in Port Tobacco. She is survived by her three sons: Michael O. Raymond, Stephen H. Raymond and David N. Raymond, as well as six grandchildren: Michael O. Raymond, Jr., Lindsey L. Raymond, Kelli A. Raymond, Tyler S. Raymond, Molly Rebecca Raymond and Andrew Raymond. Her husband of 50 years was Daniel Raymond.
During a work session on Tuesday, the town council recognized the contributions that councilwoman Raymond made during her terms in office, which Mayor Jeanine James believes has helped to shape La Plata into the thriving community it is today. The town council plans to present the proclamation to honor Raymond at the funeral.
“She has paved the way for me and I am so grateful for what she’s done for this community,” James said. “She was on the council during a time when women were told women are to be silent and support your spouse, but for her to be one of those go-getters on the council — that is huge to have that here in Charles County.”
“I loved Liz,” said Councilwoman Paddy Mudd. “She was the most vivacious, active woman in the world. She was my next door neighbor and life long friend. Everybody took dance lessons form Liz and Dani which she taught at their studio at their house and at Archbishop Neale School.”
According to family, friends and colleagues, Elizabeth was a memorable woman who gave back to her community throughout her life, faithful to her church and to the town she loved dearly.