Florence "Dolly" Rau

Florence “Dolly” Groshon Rau, currently of Mount Airy, Maryland, residing the majority of her life in her treasured home in Laytonsville, Maryland, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026. Affectionately, known as Mom, Mommom and Aunt Dolly, she was born on July 7, 1933 at home in Annapolis Junction in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. She graduated from Gaithersburg High School in 1951. Dolly was predeceased by her husband, Charles “Junior” Rau, parents Paul and Catherine Groshon and sister, Frances Speilman. She is survived by her daughter, Terri Gladhill, husband Tim, and grandchildren, Kyle Gladhill and Courtney Gladhill; by daughter, Lori Scarff, husband Scott, granddaughter, Amanda Ward and husband, Derek, and a very special great-granddaughter, Charlotte “peanut” Ward.

In Dolly’s early days, she enjoyed working at Thomas & Co. in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Some of her best stories are days spent in Gaithersburg taking care of the Rau “boys” and many cherished nieces and nephews. She had a special relationship with her brother-in-law, Eugene “Beb” Rau, who kept his promise to be there for her for the many years after Junior passed. She was a homemaker and so proud of her little home in Laytonsville where she spent many hours cooking, making cakes with her special sister-in-law, Elsie Rau Melvin, planting and cultivating flowers with her next-door neighbor, Lois Snyder, and eventually caring for her ill husband and aging parents. She earned golden angel wings for her commitment to their care. Dolly had a close relationship with her cousin, Joyce Kidwell, who’s memory she helped to carry on since her passing. Dolly was very proud that she obtained a Driver’s License at the age of 52.

Dolly was very passionate about Montgomery County 4-H, volunteering for years and spending many nights at the 4-H Cake Auction and all week in the 4-H Building at the Montgomery County Fair. Dolly began volunteering at Laytonsville Elementary School in her granddaughter, Amanda’s classes and shortly thereafter became an Instructional Aide in Kindergarten working with teacher, Susan LaRocca. This position brought Dolly much joy working with many children whose families still send her cards and letters. Dolly retired from Montgomery County Public Schools in 2006.

In retirement, Dolly spent her days “coloring,” sending cards to all those that she loved, and sharing breakfast with her family dogs who she loved like her own.

Her family wants to recognize the loving care that she has received from the nurses, all of the aides, and respiratory therapists in the Dorsey Unit at the Lorien in Mount Airy, Maryland, where she has spent the last several months.

Her loving spirit, warm smile and caring heart and beyond all measure, dedication to her family, will live on through all of us who loved her so much.

Donations in Dolly’s memory can be made to:

Maryland 4-H Foundation at https://www.mymaryland4hfoundation.com/ways-to-give/donate-online

Gilchrist Hospice at gilchristcares.org/donate

Celiac Foundation at https://give.celiac.org/give/758016/#!/donation/checkout

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