Georgina Mercedes McBride

Georgina M. McBride, 89, of Bowie died on February 19, 2016 in her home in Bowie from complications of dementia. She was born in Miraflores, Lima, Peru, to Luis Rafael Guillermo Chaparro Castro and Mercedes Irene Galvez. Georgia spent her first 25 years in Peru until she married Col. Clyde R. McBride (Mac) on September 28, 1951 at the Army War College in Carlisle, PA. She had 2 stepchildren, Donald McBride and M. Heather Lefler, and 2 children, James “Scotty” McBride and Patricia Anne McBride Smith (Funderburk). She had 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Georgia was fluent in 6 languages and spoke 2 others. From 1957 to 1959 she and her husband lived in the Soviet Union where he served as Senior Military Attache. She attended diplomatic events and met and conversed with heads of state, diplomats, politicians, war heroes, world famous writers, actors, and musicians. Because she spoke flawless Russian without a trace of an accent, U.S. Intelligence officials recruited her to gather intelligence information. She became a valuable U.S. spy and received recognition with plaques and honors. She became the first woman to lecture before the Inter-American Defense Board charged with strategic planning for the defense of the Western Hemisphere. She lectured in the U.S. and Peru. 3 Presidents of Peru and many high ranking military officers visited her Bowie home. She became a naturalized American citizen on November 11, 1954, a day she celebrated her whole life. She founded the Spanish Group and International Group in Bowie to provide a place for foreign-born women and others to get together with like-minded women. The groups met for over 40 years. Her husband Mac died in April 1997. She loved animals especially Malinka her cocker spaniel. Georgia stayed active with quilting, gardening, and most importantly being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She was diagnosed with dementia in 2012. Georgia managed to stay in her home during her illness and enjoyed visits from family until the end. She stayed in touch with her younger brother Alex in Peru over the computer thanks to the technology of Skype. She died peacefully in her own home, in her own bed. Georgia is survived by her children Donald McBride, Heather Lefler, Scotty McBride, Pat McBride, and daughter-in-law Barbara McBride and son-in-law Keith Smith. She is survived by her grandchildren Donald McBride, Bryn McBride, Shelley Skoglund, Ashley Starvinou, Benjamin Funderburk, Julia Wills, and Kendel Amihere; and her great-grandchildren Alison McBride, Andrea McBride, Grace Funderburk, Elle Skoglund, Cadence Skoglund, Ryann Starvinou, Zack Starvinou, Caleb Funderburk, Hannah Funderburk, Ethan Funderburk, Lenore Amihere, and Austin-Clyde Amihere. On Saturday, March 12, at John M. Taylor Funeral Home in Annapolis, MD, there will be a viewing, 9-11am, and a service, 11-12:30pm.. There will be a viewing but no service at Robert Evans Funeral Home in Bowie, Friday, March 11, 6-8pm. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery next to her husband will be later this year.