Mary “Charlene” Tsirigotis, 74, of Great Mills, Maryland, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of June 2, 2026.
Born on July 21, 1951, in Maryland, Charlene was the daughter of the late Charles W. Davis and Shirley Beazley. She met the love of her life and future husband, Nick Tsirigotis, in 1967. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage.
Charlene devoted her life to creating a warm and welcoming home for her family. Together, she and Nick raised their three children—Karla, April, and Peter—surrounding them with love, patience, and unwavering support. She cherished bringing family together for family dinners, holidays, celebrations, and summer vacations, always making sure there was room at her table for one more.
Her career spanned more than 40 years in retail, antiques, and floral design. A self-taught floral designer, decorator, artist, and antique dealer, Charlene transformed the Apple Basket from a small gift and antique shop into one of Southern Maryland’s most recognized independent retail destinations. Along the way, she helped preserve a historic 19th-century country store, turning it into a beloved local landmark. Her work earned recognition at both the local and state levels and was featured in several regional and national publications. Throughout her career, Charlene remained dedicated to fostering community, sharing treasured finds, and welcoming collectors, friends, and visitors into her world.
Charlene will be remembered for her creativity, generosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep love for her family. Her warmth, kindness, and welcoming nature touched countless lives, and her legacy will live on through the family and friends who were blessed to know and love her.
Charlene was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Nancy Knott.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Nick Tsirigotis; her children, Karla Matthews and her husband, Thomas Matthews, April Tsirigotis, and Peter Tsirigotis and his wife Hannah Cole.
She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren:
By April: Charlie Tharaldson, William Matzen, and Ryan Matzen;
By Karla: Thomas Matthews II, Samantha Matthews, and Nicholas Matthews;
By Peter: Alina Tsirigotis, Ayla Tsirigotis, and Nathan Cole.
Her great-grandchildren include Thomas Matthews III, Eli Matthews, and Isaac Matthews.
Charlene is also survived by her siblings, Charles “Chuck” Davis, Kathryn Davis, Jeanette Emery, Carolyn Davis, and Suzanne Bazille.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with prayers beginning at 7:00 pm, at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650. Interment will be held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 3221 Mattawoman Beantown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601. Following interment, friends and family are invited to celebrate Charlene at Old Breton Inn, 21890 Society Hill Road, Leonardtown, 20650.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.
Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Mary Charlene Tsirigotis, please click here to visit our sympathy store.