Dorothea L. Rees, longtime director of programs for troubled youth in Southern Maryland, died on March 14, 2022 at St. Mary’s Nursing Center after an extended illness.

            Mrs. Rees, daughter of Rebecca V. and John C. O’Grady, was born in Washington, D.C. on December 15, 1922. After her 1942 marriage to George C. Rees, the couple built their home and resided permanently in Charles County at the Rees family farm in Pisgah.

            Dorothea Rees directed the Charles County Children’s Aid Society from 1954 to 1960, managing foster care and adoption programs. She was appointed Southern Maryland Regional Director of the agency which evolved into the State Department of Juvenile Services with responsibility for troubled and mistreated youth in Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties. During her Juvenile Services tenure, Mrs. Rees served on the State’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and with the Governor’s Office of Children and Youth and was a primary sponsor of the Tri-County Youth Services Bureau. She also was a member of the Governor-appointed Charles County Board of Education beginning in 1957 and was a long-time member of the Charles County Nursing Home Board of Directors.   

            Mrs. Rees is survived by daughters Diane Couchenour of Pisgah and Lynn Nalley of La Plata, grandchildren Eric Baden, Rebecca Matchett, Dorothea Nalley and Rees Nalley, as well a great grandchildren Finn Matchett and Madalynn Nalley.  

              The family will receive friends on Thursday March 24, 2022 from 4 to 6 PM at the Arehart-Echols Funeral Home (211 St. Mary’s Ave. LaPlata, MD 20646. Her funeral service will be on Friday March 25, 2022 at Christ Church (600 Farmington Rd. W Accokeek, MD 20607) Interment to follow in the church Cemetery.

               Online condolences may be shared with the family at arehartechols.com