Eric Wright, 52, Social Security employee
Eric "Ricky" Wright, a 29-year employee of the Social Security Administration, died Friday of complications from pneumonia at Northwest Hospital Center in Baltimore. He was 52 and lived in Woodlawn.
Born and raised in West Baltimore, Mr. Wright graduated from City College in 1965 and earned an associate's degree from Community College of Baltimore in 1967. He also attended Towson State University before being drafted into the Army in 1969.
After serving in the United States for two years, Mr. Wright returned to Baltimore in 1971 and went to work at Social Security. His last job there was as a benefits authorizer.
His passion, said his sister, Vonita L. Wright, was people.
"Ricky loved people," she said. "He could make you laugh in an instant."
Mr. Wright enjoyed music and regularly performed in the choir at Jones Tabernacle Baptist Church in West Baltimore. Ms. Wright said her brother sang a church solo, the Lord's Prayer, at age 4.
Other survivors include his parents, Helena R. Wright and Timothy R. Wright of Brighton, and a brother, Craig E. Wright of Rosedale.
Services will be held at 7 p.m. today at Jones Tabernacle Baptist Church, 2100 W. Baltimore St.
June Burton Shaver, 71, secretary, avid gardener
June Burton Shaver, who started as a shipping clerk at Black & Decker Corp. and worked her way to assistant secretary of the corporation, died of bone cancer Friday at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. The Fallston resident was 71.
Born June Burton in Glen Arm, she worked on her family's vegetable farm until she was 18. She graduated from Towson High School 1945, then became a shipping clerk at Black & Decker.
In 1973, the company's board of directors elected her assistant secretary, a job she held until her retirement in 1986. She was responsible for coordinating the board's activities, including national and international meetings.
Mrs. Shaver met her husband, George J. Shaver, through church functions at the old Salem Church in Bradshaw. They married in 1952 and built their first home on her father's Glen Arm farm. Mr. Shaver died in 1988.
G. David Shaver said his mother often picked corn in the morning, prepared breakfast for the family, headed to work at Black & Decker, then returned home to pick tomatoes or beans before finishing her housework at night.
The family sold the farm in the 1970s, when Mrs. Shaver's father, Arnold Burton, became ill.
Mrs. Shaver was an avid gardener and a gourmet cook who enjoyed inviting friends to sample her dishes. She also traveled with her husband and son, both pilots, in the family plane, taking trips to Atlantic City and North Carolina.
In addition to her son, Mrs. Shaver is survived by two sisters, Doris Burton and Sharon Arnold, both of Fallston.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. today at Lassahn Funeral Home, 11750 Belair Road in Kingsville.
Julie Fraunholz, 74, direct mail executive
Julie Fraunholz, a direct mail executive and marketing consultant, died Friday at St. Joseph Medical Center after complications from gall bladder surgery. Mrs. Fraunholz was 74 and lived at the Trinity House senior apartments in Towson.
The former Julie Donovan grew up in Hamilton and graduated from Eastern High School . In the 1970s, she was president of Kirkley Press, a direct mail company based in Towson. In 1979, she helped start Executive Publishing Group, also in Towson.
She retired in 1985 because of poor health but remained active. She volunteered with Catholic Charities and was treasurer of the Trinity House Residents Association, editing its newsletter. With friends, she formed the nonprofit Seniors in Sync.
Her husband, William Fraunholz, died in 1977.
Mrs. Fraunholz is survived by a daughter, Bev Donovan of Sparks, and a son, Eugene Schwanebeck, of Fawn Grove, Pa.; a sister, Betty Willenburg of Bel Air; a brother, Ray Donovan of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; two grandchildren; and a great-grandson.
A memorial service is planned.
Catherine G. Taylor, 80, wartime cryptographer
Catherine G. Taylor, a 58-year member of the Woman's Club of Roland Park, died of colon cancer Wednesday at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. She was 80.
A lifelong resident of Homeland, the former Catherine Griesemer graduated from Bryn Mawr School in 1938 and attended Hollins University in Virginia. She graduated from Goucher College in 1942 and was a cryptographer during World War II.
In 1943, she married James C. Taylor, who became president of R. J. Taylor, a Baltimore ship's chandlery. The couple lived in Homeland, where Mrs. Taylor was active in the woman's club, the Three Arts Club and the Homeland Garden Club.
James Taylor died last year. Mrs. Taylor is survived by a son, William C. Taylor, and a daughter, Grier C. Taylor, both of Baltimore.
Services will be private.