Eiizabeth Conley Clagett

Elizabeth Conley Clagett, 86, of Frederick, Maryland, died on April 16, 2026 of complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Born on February 19, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, she was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles H. Conley, jr. of Frederick. A 1958 graduate of St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia, Elizabeth, an English major, then graduated from Colby College, Waterville, Maine, in 1962, and later received an M.A. from Hood College, Frederick, Maryland. Her teaching career began at Hannah More Academy, Reisterstown, Maryland, and 30 years later she retired from Frederick County Public Schools, having spent 14 years at West Frederick Middle School.

In addition she spent many years as a member of the Episcopal Orphan House Scholarship Board, served on the boards of the Frederick County Teachers Association, Frederick County Literacy Council, Planned Parenthood, and Trinity School of Frederick; she delivered Meals on Wheels for many delightful years.

After her retirement in 2000, she continued to be a teacher to those in her life, reminding all that sentence structure, a beautifully set table, good books, and lovely manners mattered. Her bumper sticker, I am silently correcting your grammar, reflected her commitment to teaching. Laughter, horses, and misbehaved dogs were a constant presence in her life.

Elizabeth is survived by her loving husband, Galen R. Clagett and his two children, Marcie Clagett and Thomas Clagett, both of Frederick, Maryland, as well as six grandchildren: Sara and Sam Carnahan, and Hannah, Brynn, Brooke, and Lexi Clagett.

She is also survived by her two beloved daughters, Lainie Thomas (Nick Hilton) Manila, the Philippines, and Mary Clay Thomas (Jeff Wilson), Fishersville, Virginia. Lovingly known as Grammar, she leaves six wonderful grandchildren with lively memories: Alice, Eliot, Ruth, and Max (Teddy to Grammar) Hilton, and Anna Greenway and Reid Elizabeth Trybus. She is also survived by her sister Shelby Conley, Washington, DC, and brother Charles Conley (Bill), Shepherdstown, West Virginia, as well as her three nieces, Nadejda, Anna and Molly and three nephews, Alex, Charley and Joe.

Elizabeth’s family thanks the staff of Homewood Living of Frederick and the Frederick Health Hospice for such loving and wonderful care.

Remembrances may be made as a donation to the Episcopal Orphan House of Frederick ℅ All Saints Episcopal Church or to Meals on Wheels, Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence, 1440 Taney Avenue, Frederick, MD 21702.

A service to celebrate her life will take place at 2pm on Thursday, April 23rd at All Saints Episcopal Church, 106 W. Church Street, Frederick, MD.