Mavreen "Deeny" K. Veihmeyer

Born Mavreen Margaret Kelly to Anna Lily Gay Mack and William Bernard Kelly III in Dallas, PA, she was the youngest of four children, a child of the Great Depression and of World War II. These formative events of her youth shaped her outlook for the remainder of life. She never failed to appreciate the little things and to remain aware that above all else, family was what mattered.

She was an animal lover from the start, and had numerous pets growing up - some with very creative names.  In addition, she was interested in art, and would do sketches of horses, cats and pigeons on any scrap of paper or piece of wood she could find.

As a girl, she attended Dallas Elementary School and then Dallas High School, where she was well-liked by both her teachers and fellow students.  She played the trumpet in the high school band and graduated with a senior class of 21 students who kept in touch for the rest of their lives.

Upon graduation from high school, Mavreen moved to Washington D.C. and lived with her Aunt Mae in Georgetown, working for C & P Telephone Company and then Lohnes and Culver Consulting Engineers while attending George Washington University. After several years, she transferred to Misericordia College in Dallas, PA, and completed her bachelor’s degree in education. She returned to Washington, D.C. and Lohnes and Culver after graduation where she rekindled her friendship with Fred Veihmeyer. The two would ultimately marry and live happily together for 62 years.

Mavreen taught 5th grade in Montgomery County before leaving to start a family.  She and Fred moved to West Laurel, and for the next 20 years she raised daughter Tracey and son Bill, worked as a substitute teacher, and continued sketching and painting at every opportunity.  She was always creative, telling stories and inventing games to play with her children, holding unofficial art classes for the neighborhood kids, and leading the “Ranger Rick” club. While her kids were in school, she went back to school herself and received an associate degree in art from Prince George’s Community College.

She continued to be involved in her children’s activities and education, and became an active member of the Laurel Art Guild where she served two terms as president. She made many friends through her love of art and participated in numerous shows and workshops. She worked in many mediums, but was most prolific as a watercolorist. She had a particular fondness for the rugged seascapes of Maine and took part in several painting excursions to Boothbay Harbor, Kennebunkport and Mohegan Island. When her children went to college, she returned to teaching, spending 10 years as a high school art and drafting teacher at St. Vincent Pallotti High School in Laurel. She loved her students and loved to encourage their creativity. After retiring from Pallotti, she continued to teach art classes through Prince George’s Community College and several senior communities into her 80s.

Kindheartedness was perhaps her greatest virtue, and it was never more evident than in her love of animals. More than just a pet lover, she became the neighborhood sanctuary for injured or wayward animals. In addition to many dogs and cats, she raised numerous birds, mice, squirrels, rabbits, and even a chipmunk.

Always possessed of an adventurous spirit, she was quite well travelled. As a young woman, she visited Alaska before it was even a state, venturing as far north as the Arctic Circle. Later in life she toured Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Bermuda and travelled extensively in the lower 48 states with numerous travel partners. She even travelled as a teacher chaperone with her high school students. Throughout her travels, she always returned with a new sketch or painting to show.

Deeny and Fred were well-liked members of the local community and were quite sociable, frequently entertaining family, friends and neighbors in their home. The antics of their gourmet club dinners and Oktoberfest parties sourced stories that are still told today. Their lives were full and vibrant and enriched the lives of everyone they touched.

Deeny was preceded in death by her parents, brother Louis Kelly, sisters Betty (CJ) Strawser and Sheila (Richard) McCarthy, husband Fred Veihmeyer, and son Daniel.  She is survived by her daughter Tracey Veihmeyer (Mark Katz), son Bill (Carole) Veihmeyer, and grandchildren Charlie and Danielle.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Vincent Pallotti Visual Arts Scholarship fund:

St. Vincent Pallotti High School

113 St. Mary’s Place

Laurel, MD 20707

Attn: Office of Advancement

St. Vincent Pallotti Visual Arts Scholarship fund
113 St. Mary’s Place Attn: Office of Advancement, Laurel MD 20707