(June 25, 2015) Reba Felty, a former member of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2004-2007, passed away on June 12 at Coastal Hospice on the Lake in Salisbury.
Felty battled ovarian cancer for four years before succumbing to the disease at the age of 52.
The oldest of three siblings, Felty is survived by her sister Kim Fillinger, brother Evan Felty, nephew Owen Fillinger, nieces Shelby Fillinger and Paige and Piper Felty, and her godson Cameron DiPerna.
“Our deepest sympathy to Reba’s family, friends and community,” Ginger Fleming, Executive Director of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement on Tuesday. “The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce was truly blessed to have had her on our board for so many years. I had the privilege to work with Reba at Hospitality Golf and Sales in 2005. I learned an incredible amount from her, businesswise and personally. She will be forever missed and loved.”
Melanie Purcell, director of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, also issued a statement.
“Reba donated many hours of her time to nonprofit organizations,” Purcell said. “She was one of the original Ocean City Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.”
Felty was also member of the Worcester County Humane Society, Optimist Club and Ocean City Hotel-Motel Restaurant Association, among other organizations.
“A huge void has been created in her passing,” Purcell said. “She was loved by all and always lit up a room with her smile.”
Patricia Ilczuk-Lavanceau served with Felty in the Ocean City Chamber’s ambassador program.
“Reba was loving, giving, direct – very direct,” she said. “She did a lot of work for charities. She didn’t have any children, but she was president of the OC Boosters, she won the Charitable Souls award from the Dispatch, and she won a tourism award for her hospitality giving, which is one of the highest honors you can win from the tourism industry.
“I loved her because we could have a conversation without talking – we would finish each other’s sentences. She was like a sister to me,” Ilczuk-Lavanceau added.
Dawn Hodge, a former neighbor, called Felty, “one of the most kind and generous people I’ve ever met.”
“I know she’s in a better place now,” she said.
A memorial service for Felty will be held at the Blue Ox on 127th Street in Ocean City on Thursday, June 25 from 6-8 p.m. For memorial food donations or questions contact Ilczuk-Lavanceau at 443-497-1123 or Patricia@argdp.com, or Hodge at 410-723-2120 or Dawnhodge@comcast.net.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, or the Worcester County Humane Society. Donations may be mailed to Patricia Ilczuk-Lavanceau, 503 Harbour Drive, Ocean City, Md. 21842.
Felty battled ovarian cancer for four years before succumbing to the disease at the age of 52.
The oldest of three siblings, Felty is survived by her sister Kim Fillinger, brother Evan Felty, nephew Owen Fillinger, nieces Shelby Fillinger and Paige and Piper Felty, and her godson Cameron DiPerna.
“Our deepest sympathy to Reba’s family, friends and community,” Ginger Fleming, Executive Director of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement on Tuesday. “The Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce was truly blessed to have had her on our board for so many years. I had the privilege to work with Reba at Hospitality Golf and Sales in 2005. I learned an incredible amount from her, businesswise and personally. She will be forever missed and loved.”
Melanie Purcell, director of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, also issued a statement.
“Reba donated many hours of her time to nonprofit organizations,” Purcell said. “She was one of the original Ocean City Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.”
Felty was also member of the Worcester County Humane Society, Optimist Club and Ocean City Hotel-Motel Restaurant Association, among other organizations.
“A huge void has been created in her passing,” Purcell said. “She was loved by all and always lit up a room with her smile.”
Patricia Ilczuk-Lavanceau served with Felty in the Ocean City Chamber’s ambassador program.
“Reba was loving, giving, direct – very direct,” she said. “She did a lot of work for charities. She didn’t have any children, but she was president of the OC Boosters, she won the Charitable Souls award from the Dispatch, and she won a tourism award for her hospitality giving, which is one of the highest honors you can win from the tourism industry.
“I loved her because we could have a conversation without talking – we would finish each other’s sentences. She was like a sister to me,” Ilczuk-Lavanceau added.
Dawn Hodge, a former neighbor, called Felty, “one of the most kind and generous people I’ve ever met.”
“I know she’s in a better place now,” she said.
A memorial service for Felty will be held at the Blue Ox on 127th Street in Ocean City on Thursday, June 25 from 6-8 p.m. For memorial food donations or questions contact Ilczuk-Lavanceau at 443-497-1123 or Patricia@argdp.com, or Hodge at 410-723-2120 or Dawnhodge@comcast.net.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, or the Worcester County Humane Society. Donations may be mailed to Patricia Ilczuk-Lavanceau, 503 Harbour Drive, Ocean City, Md. 21842.