Matthew J. McDermott, accomplished physician
Matthew J. "Mac" McDermott, Jr. M.D., 82, died Sunday, July 12, 2015.
Mac was born in Lewes and grew up in Georgetown, the son of Marguerite and Matthew McDermott. He was graduated from St. Andrew’s School in Middletown in 1951 and The University of Virginia in 1955 where he was a member of St. Elmo Hall fraternity. Following graduation from the University of Virginia Medical School in 1959 he married Gail Watson, who grew up in Baltimore, Md.
Matthew did his internship at Norfolk General Hospital and went into the Army as a medical officer and was assigned to Karlsruhe, Germany. He then returned to civilian life and completed a pediatric residency at Kings’ Daughters Pediatric Hospital in Norfolk, Va.
Following his residency, Matthew and Gail returned to Delaware where he began a long and dedicated pediatric practice. Through the years he served on a number of medical committees, including the Delaware Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Medical Society of Delaware and the Delaware Academy of Medicine, and was a founding member of the Wilmington-New Castle Pediatric Association. He was on the staff of the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington as well as Christiana Care and the Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.
For many years he enjoyed being a preceptor to medical students and residents in his office and later, after retirement from private practice, at the Christiana Care’s Wilmington Hospital pediatric clinic. He also spent a month volunteering with Health Volunteers Overseas in the pediatric hospitals in Siem Reap, Cambodia and Georgetown, Guyana. On moving to Rehoboth Beach Matthew served on the Henlopen Acres Board of Commissioners.
Over the years Mac was honored for his leadership and advocacy for the children of Delaware.
In Mac’s spare time he could be found fishing on his boat, the “Birddog” or hunting quail with his English setters. His love of the outdoors was shared by friends and family.
Matthew will be greatly missed by his friend and wife of 56 years, Gail; his daughter Kathleen Hillman and her husband Jack; sons Matthew (Jamie) J. McDermott, his wife Sue, and John McDermott and his wife Lecia.; as well as six grandchildren: Matthew IV, Davis, Andrew, Jack, Anna, Shannon Hendershot and husband Kevin; and two great-grandchildren Will and Kayla. He is also survived by his nieces Carol Emmert and Ann Solli; and nephews Daniel, Peter and Caleb Layton; and was predeceased by his two sisters, June Layton and Mary Helen McNeilly
There will be a memorial service at All Saints Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Thursday, July 30, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Arrangements by Chandler Funeral Homes & Crematory.
