Dorothy Hammerly Cusack

"Dorothy “Dot” Hammerly Cusack

April 30, 1956 - August 28, 2022

Born Dorothy Ruth Hammerly to Kenneth Everett Hammerly and Lillian May Dukeshire Hammerly of Takoma Park, Maryland. She went by Dot to almost everyone and Dottie to her husband, Dennis, and a very select few others. 

Dot spent her youth in Prince George’s County and graduated from Bladensburg High School, a member of the class of 1974. She participated as a member of the yearbook staff.

After graduation, both Dot and her brother Charles (Charlie), worked for their father at the family business, Hammerly Rubber Stamp Company.

In March of 1983, she welcomed her son Chad Everett Kilmer. 

Not long after moving to Lothian with her son, Dot met Dennis Cusack on Easter, April 19, 1987. On their first date Dennis, a pilot himself, took her flying to see the Washington D.C. skyline at night. After years of being together, they married on a beach in Key West, Florida on March 10, 2003.

Chad recalls his younger years with Dot always being “That Mom” who was very dedicated to her son. The multitude of cakes she baked and decorated, being a favorite on school field trips and ever present at school events. Even his friends would call her mom, and one, Chris Broadhurst she would look upon as her own son. When Chris and his wife Lisa welcomed their daughter Ava, Dot became a grandmother, and it was the happiest she had ever been.

Dot was an avid Star Wars fan, having stood in line for all 9 movies, she shared this passion, along with her love of “good” music, movies and life with her son, who carries love for these things onward. She collected some pieces of memorabilia like posters and even a few personalized autographed pieces. The most recent of which she got when she met (and got a hug from!) C3-P0 actor Anthony Daniels at Star Wars Celebration 2022 in Anaheim, CA. Making this trip to California with her husband and son had been a bucket list item for her, along with visiting Disneyland while they were there.

Dot was also a Longaberger collector, maintaining quite a collection of baskets and full sets of dishes and cookware from the pottery line the company no longer makes.

Dot is survived by her husband Dennis; her brother Charlie and his wife Jen; her sons Chad and Chris, and her granddaughter Ava.

Services for Dot will be held at Lee Funeral Home Calvert 8200 Jennifer Lane Owings, MD 20736 on September 9th starting at 10am for family and friends visitation, and a brief service at noon.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, which are sadly temporary, please donate to either your local ASPCA, or in Maryland https://secure.aspca.org/donate or in Maryland, to Calvert Hospice P.O. Box Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Thank you, and remember…

…the Force will be with you, always…."