In Remembrance of those lost during the Pandemic
Carol Riggles • June 1, 2021
In Remembrance of those lost during the Pandemic
“I would like to honor three special people: John Carmack, Timothy Overs and Barbara Myers. John Carmack was my Father. He did not die of Covid but cancer during the pandemic. Losing him during the pandemic affected how he lived his last days, the visitors he could have and how he was able to be mourned by his love ones. Timothy Overs and Barbara Myers did pass from Covid. They both resided in a nursing home that I would visit so there was no good-bye. When I visited them last, I had no idea that would be the last time I saw them.”
Picture memories/details from the above collage are below:
“The keepsake I would like to share is bird feeders and the significance of the Cardinal to me. My Dad loved to feed and watch the birds and squirrels. The bird feeder in the photo and many more feeders are now in my yard feeding the birds in his memory everyday just as he would have done. However, as many may know, the cardinal is said to appear when angels (loved ones passed) are near. So for me, every time I see a cardinal I actually say out loud, "Hi Dad", or "Hi Mr. Tim" or even "Hi Barb". I drive for a living, so whether I am looking in my backyard or driving around Frederick County for work, I know these three individuals are near all the time by the presence of the Cardinal.”
“This photo means a lot to me because my grandmother meant everything to me. She was not only my grandmother but she was like my mother. We were so close. I always had her as my go to. This is a photo while she was in the hospital and I was at her bedside. I stood by her until she couldn't fight her battle any longer. My grandmother will always remain in my heart.”
“This small hand painted rock is my most precious memento, reminding me of my mother who I lost during the pandemic. My mother was an avid painter, not professional, but just for her own enjoyment. When we were children, she painted a mural on our large picture window to celebrate every holiday. She volunteered for every school event that required posters and decorations. In her mid-40’s, Mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. In her mid-50’s she became a resident with Way Station, no longer able to support herself and was also suffering from mental illness that she had been dealing with since her late 20’s. This rock was her gift to me one Christmas and represented her attempt to conquer her arthritis pain and to create something of value out of nothing. I have treasured it ever since.”
If you would like to share your remembrance of someone you lost during the pandemic, please send it to ciggles@interfaithhousing.org
and we will be happy to include it in our next newsletter.
A quarter of grant wins, community partnerships, and small moments that remind us why this work matters. Here's what's been happening at Interfaith Housing Alliance since the summer. GRANTS & FUNDING: Four New Grants Fuel IHA's Work This Quarter Interfaith Housing Alliance is proud to announce four funding awards totaling $220,000 during the last quarter from our community partners. In June 2026, IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant by Ausherman Family Foundation. This capacity-building grant will provide funding support for the organization during its transition to new leadership. It will also support IHA's work with key community consultants with the goal of recentering IHA's programs and services in Frederick, MD. In July 2026, IHA was awarded a $125,000 grant from Morgan Stanley. This operational grant supports IHA in its ongoing quest to create and provide affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income (LMI) community members. It also supports IHA's continued community programming, which provides access to financial education and affordable homeownership opportunities. In August 2026, IHA received two funding awards in support of IHA's Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services. IHA was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's (DHCD) Maryland Housing Counseling Fund (MHCF). IHA was also awarded a $35,000 grant by Rural Maryland Council (RMC) through their Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) program. These grants will support the full spectrum of community programming IHA offers, including group educational workshops on financial health, individualized financial coaching and housing counseling, and pathways to affordable homeownership. We are deeply grateful to these partners for their continued investment in this community.
Exciting, the final renovations of the last two units are underway at Weinberg House, a long-standing affordable senior living community in Fredrick, Maryland. Originally built in 1994, the property provided safe, stable housing for older adults for decades. Renovations began on May 1, 2023. At that time, they had a total of 23 units to renovate. The renovations included freshly painted walls, new carpet in the bedrooms, new flooring in the other rooms, new cabinets in the bathroom, as well as new kitchen cupboards, fixtures and new appliances. The final two units will be ready for lease up June 15, 2026. The renovation of Weinberg House represents a meaningful investment in both people and place. By modernizing the property while protecting its mission, this project will help ensure that affordable, welcoming housing remains available for seniors for years to come. It is an encouraging example of how thoughtful redevelopment can strengthen communities and honor the residents who call them home.
In March 2026, IHA was awarded a $50,000 grant through the Frederick County Government’s Helping Empower Area Resources Together (HEART). These one-time operational funds were awarded to mitigate the effects of the longest federal government shutdown in history. This grant has allowed IHA to continue providing essential programs and services to Frederick County residents despite challenges at the federal level. IHA was also awarded a $5,000 grant from the City of Frederick through the Community Promotion Grant program. This grant supports aging in place and youth development needs among City residents through IHA’s Supportive Services. The program serves residents of IHA’s senior and multi-family affordable rental communities at 222 Broadway Street (Weinberg House) and 520 N. Market Street, respectively. In April 2026, IHA was also awarded a $25,000 Community Partnership Grant from Frederick County Government. This grant supports IHA’s full range of Financial Dignity and Empowerment Services, including our homeownership and financial education programming. IHA’s Purchase-Repair Program provides an avenue to homeownership for those who otherwise would not qualify for a traditional home loan. In Credit Café, participants work specifically on improving their credit. Financial Freedom Bootcamp helps participants improve their skills in budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and financial goal setting. The Frederick Affordable Housing Incubator (FAHI) brings multiple sectors together to increase the affordable housing inventory in Frederick County.