Margaret Isabelle Obert

Margaret Isabelle Board Obert, a descendant of Colonial Maryland and Virginia families, passed away on March 7, 2018. . Ms. Obert was born and raised in Baltimore City and attended local schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University College, University of Maryland; a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College in Washington, DC; and a Contemporary Executive Development Certificate from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Ms. Obert retired in 1997 after a long career with the Federal Government. She began her career with the National Security Agency, serving as an Analyst and Cryptologic Staff Officer. In 1982, she transferred to the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington D.C., serving first as a Counterintelligence Research Specialist. She subsequently moved into management positions, serving as the Chief, Security Policy and Operations; and Chief, Security Awareness. She traveled extensively for the Government, providing counterintelligence and security support to military commands worldwide. She received the Defense Intelligence Director’s Award upon retirement. Ms. Obert was an avid genealogist and published books on the Board and Allen families of Maryland and Virginia. She won the Maryland Historical Society’s 1999 Parker Prize for her work on the Board family. She served as a volunteer in the Library of the Maryland Historical Society for many years. Ms. Obert was a member of numerous lineage societies. She served as the National Registrar of the United States Daughters of 1812; the President of the National Society, Colonial Dames of America in the State of Maryland; President of the Maryland State Society, United States Daughters of 1812; the Governess of the Maryland Branch of the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims; and as the Second Vice Regent of the Maryland State Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a member of the Jamestown Society; Daughters of Colonial Wars; Daughters of American Colonists; Southern Dames; Dames of the Court of Honor; and the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century. She was a member of the Maryland Historical Society; the Maryland Genealogical Society; the Baltimore County Genealogical Society; and the Virginia Genealogical Society. She served twice as President of the Maryland Genealogical Society. Ms. Obert was a member of the Old Otterbein United Methodist Church for many years. She served as Chairperson of the Trustees, overseeing major restoration efforts of the church and parsonage; Treasurer; and Wedding Coordinator of the Church. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Star Spangled Banner Flag House; and as President of the Board of Directors of the Susanna Wesley House, which provides transitional housing for homeless women and children. She was previously active in the Girls’ Softball Division of the South Baltimore Little League, serving as Vice President, Player Agent, and Manager. Ms. Obert is survived by a daughter, Margaret Obert Berish, granddaughters Kathryn Isabel and Lauren Margaret Berish, and a son-in-law, Thomas Scott Berish; a brother C. Allen Board; a sister Nancy L. Swartwout; a brother-in-law, William Swartwout, a nephew Arthur Swartwout, and a niece, Jill Swartwout. A brother, Warren F. Board, predeceased her. Memorial Service will be held at the Otterbein Methodist Church, 112 W. Conway Street, Baltimore MD 21201 on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 10:00am. Family will receive friends at the church from 9:30am to 10:00am. Interment of cremains in Lorraine Park Cemetery immediately following services at church. Family Request in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), 301 Stockholm Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. https://barcs.org/donate/ or the Old Otterbein United Methodist Church, 112 West Conway Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. http://www.oldotterbeinumc.org/home

Margaret Isabelle Obert

August 11, 1944 - March 7, 2018