Herma Elizabeth Symes

Herma Elizabeth Symes, age 81, of Sandy Spring, Maryland, passed away on September 2, 2023. She was a cherished mother, wife, sister, grandmother, nurse, and a beacon of kindness in the lives of all who knew her. She departed this world, leaving behind a legacy of love, compassion, and a lifetime of remarkable experiences.

Herma was born to Hugh Owen Ferguson and Lucy Cicely Ferguson in Jackson Town, Jamaica, on October 5, 1941. She grew up in the embrace of a large and vibrant family, where the values of family, unity and resilience were instilled in her from a young age. She attended First Hill Elementary School and her beloved Westwood High School in Trelawny.

As a young woman, Herma's unwavering determination and boundless curiosity led her to seize an incredible opportunity – to travel to Glasgow, Scotland, to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. With unparalleled dedication, she embarked on a journey that would shape her life. While training as a nurse at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, Herma's heart was drawn to the field of midwifery, where she dedicated herself to the well-being of countless mothers and newborns, providing them with comfort and care.

Her most recent and final employment was with Bethesda Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, where she worked as a unit manager for many years before retiring from her nursing career, which she loved so much. 

As a woman of faith, Herma was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. She loved reading, music, arts, and the study of botany. She lived life to the fullest, was cordial with everyone she met, and was committed to the values of family life, hard work ethic, and maintaining lifelong friendships. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Neville Symes, son Brendan Symes, parents Hugh Ferguson, Lucy Ferguson, sisters (Norma, Nesta, and Sybil), and brother, John Ferguson.

Herma leaves behind son Dean, Meha (daughter-in-law), sisters Sheila, Theada, daughter Lauri, grandchildren Shanee, Dershawn, Kayla, Dante, Ash, and Amira, as well as her beloved nieces, nephews, many relatives, and friends.  

Rest in peace, dear Herma; your love will live forever in our hearts.

A Visitation at 10:00 a.m., followed by a service at 11:00 a.m., will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A., 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029. For those who can not attend the Service in person and would like to watch via live-stream at the scheduled time please click HERE.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to either Winter Growth Assisted Living  (https://www.wintergrowthinc.org/donate/) or Gilchrist Hospice Center (https://gilchristcares.org/donate/)  in honor of Herma's lifelong commitment to caring for others.

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