Rheta Angelene (Shank) McCutcheon, 89, of Braddock Heights, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 30, at Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center in Frederick. She was the wife of the late William James McCutcheon Sr., who predeceased her in 2018 after 61 years of marriage. They were married on February 22, 1957 in Zion Lutheran Church, Middletown.
Born on November 21, 1933 in Middletown, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Paul Edward Shank and Lottie Catherine (Grossnickle) Shank.
Rheta was a 1951 graduate of Middletown High School. She was very proud of having earned her Registered Nurse Degree in September of 1954 from the Washington County Hospital School of Nursing. Rheta retired from nursing to raise her children, but throughout her life she was the family's go-to person for medical advice. She also served as a volunteer for many years with American Red Cross blood drives.
Rheta enjoyed hosting family get-togethers and cooking for her large family. She and her husband also enjoyed traveling in their RV, including several trips that took them to California, Florida, Canada, and Maine.
Rheta is survived by her five sons, William McCutcheon Jr. (Brenda) of Braddock Heights, Edward McCutcheon Sr. of Frederick, Michael McCutcheon (Amy) of Frederick, Philip McCutcheon (Lynn) of Braddock Heights, and Steven McCutcheon (Debbie) of Middletown. Also surviving are her brother Donald Shank (Lois) of Middletown, and two sisters, Jane Buharp of Niceville, Florida, and Marianna Bere (Bill) of Wolfsville, and sister-in-law Rebecca Griffin (Charlie). She is also survived by her twelve grandchildren, Meghan Custer (Josh), Ryan McCutcheon (Allison), Bradley McCutcheon, Kelly McCutcheon (Kirby), Colleen McCutcheon (Joe), Sam McCutcheon (Hannah), Jacob McCutcheon, Joseph McCutcheon, Caleb McCutcheon, Cyrus McCutcheon, Edward McCutcheon Jr., and Madison McCutcheon, as well as her three great-grandchildren, Claire and Chase Custer, and Sylvia McCutcheon, and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Frederick County and Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center for caring for Rheta in her final days. We would also like to thank Home Instead of Frederick, and in particular Dinah and Cheryl, whose care and support helped enable Rheta to remain in her home during her declining health.
The family will receive friends on Monday, April 3, 2023 at Donald B. Thompson Funeral Home, 31 E. Main Street, Middletown from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, 107 W. Main Street, Middletown, MD.

Memorial contributions may be made in Rheta's name to Hospice of Frederick County, PO Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702.

Published in The Frederick News Post, Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2, 2023