Thelma E. Gundersdorff

Thelma E. (Bowers) Gundersdorff , a 48-year employee with Baltimore County Public Schools and cruise enthusiast (nee Southcomb) Thelma was born and raised in Arbutus, attended Catonsville High School graduating in 1954 and went on to Towson State Teachers College where she graduated with a degree in education in 1958. She began her career with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) in 1958 as a classroom teacher at Edmondson Heights Elementary School where she taught for 8 years. She married Ronald Bowers in 1962, had two children, Terri and Randy, and raised them in Lutherville. Although she left BCPS to raise her children, she returned to work in 1977 in several financial positions, retiring after 48 years as a Fiscal Analyst in 2016. In 1993, Thelma lost her husband to prostate cancer. Two years later, Thelma reunited with Ray Gundersdorff, a boy she had met at Catonsville HS. As told to the Baltimore Sun, “In the early 1950s, senior girls did not go out with junior-class men. So Thelma and Ray never even considered dating.” Ray had recently lost his wife to ALS, and after Thelma sent a note of condolence to him, the two old friends became reacquainted. They married in Bermuda in 1999 and said their vows surrounded by their families and several longtime friends. When the first of her grandchildren were born, she chose the name “Yaya,” and it became her moniker outside of the family, with friends and neighbors joining in, as it was a perfect name for the spunky lady who was always ready with a one-liner. Yaya loved her growing family, traveling and cruising! She took more than 25 cruises including to Germany, the North Sea, France, UK and several to the Caribbean. She was able to include her family on five cruises, including the most recent one to Hawaii in 2018. Thelma was active in her church, Havenwood Presbyterian, and held many positions including Deacon and Financial Secretary. Her love of numbers also drew her to be the treasurer of Dulaney Valley and Ravenhurst Community Associations. She was a Ravens and Orioles fan and adored her many Siamese cats, her babies. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society at https://bmorehumane.org/donate

Thelma E. Gundersdorff

June 21, 1936 - October 22, 2022

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Thelma E. Gundersdorff

June 21, 1936 - October 22, 2022

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