On Tuesday, August 29, 2023 Mieke Rockhill’s daughter Cara sent the following message to the Long Beach Community:

To Mom’s Friends, Neighbors and Colleagues:

It is with an impossibly heavy heart that I share with you that my Mom, the vibrant, fiesty, amazing Mieke Rockhill, has entered into Hospice care. This may come as a shock to many, which is fair, because this has certainly happened very fast. But really, my Mom wouldn’t have it any other way.

I know that Mom has meant a lot to an incredible number of people, and please know that you have meant a lot to her too.

Unfortunately, Mom is not able to have visitors at this time. I am checking her messages and passing along all well wishes.

We do ask for your continued thoughts and prayers as we navigate this impossibly difficult time.

Cara

Our hearts are heavy and our thoughts are with Cara and Mieke.

Vic and Margaret Rebois

We are saddened to hear of this news. Our thoughts and praters for Cara and Mieke continue during this difficult time.

Nina and Tom Cavin

May God Bless Mieke

Dan Harbison

We are so grateful for you,  Meike: you not only guided us in the purchase of our houses, but also nudged us to fall in love with the Long Beach community and introduced us to our new neighbors. You have shaped this community in so many wonderful ways. What began for us as a weekend getaway was the obvious choice for our semi-retirement haven. We are so blessed to live here - and to have been on the receiving end of your good-natured, ever ready advice and offer to help in any way you could.

Katherine Nelson & Charlie Haile

Dear Mieke, we want to thank you for all you have done for  Long Beach.  We feel fortunate to own a home here in such a lovely community. We know you  have had a great influence on making Long Beach such a wonderful place.  We bought our property on Bayview road over 30 years ago and your name was one of the first we saw. Although we are only summer residents mostly,   it gives us great joy when we come to Long Beach to see how well the community is maintained, including many improvements. It is a reflection on you and other board members. What a great job! We wish you and your family well. Thank you for your long service to the community.

 Chris and Ron Aaron

I was blessed to have grown up in Long Beach and still live here. So I’ve known you since the 70s. Many great memories at “the front” and at “the office” that I will cherish forever   I always admired your brilliance, beauty, wit, knowledge and kind heart. May the good Lord wrap his arms around you and bring you comfort.

Love you,

Staci Anderson

Mieke 

Your legacy, your unselfish commitment and your life will live on in Longbeach always. You have the hearts and love of the community surrounding you, Cara and the many family and friends you have made a lasting impact on.  

I have no doubt your faith has given you the strength and peace you need. You are honored and thanked for all you are.

Jeri Kalins

Dearest Mieke,

We can’t thank you and your family near enough for creating this wonderful “Long Beach by the Bay.” Your father’s vision so long ago has created a unique paradise for all of us. We love you with all our hearts.

Jean, Butch and all the Fishers up on the hill.

Mieke, Suzy and I send our love and prayers to you. You are in our thoughts and prayers and hanging onto the wonderful and sometimes harrowing memories of our younger days. Never boring but such a wonderful time to grow up in. Memories of Pat walking the beach and your father cruising in his big Chrysler! Prayers and hugs that you know how many people that you have affected! Love and prayers and hugs from us both!

(DeeHarnerMonnett)

You and your Family as well as Micky are in my Prayers for Peace and Strength.  If able please give her my best.

Thomas Lattimer

I am so sorry to hear this. My prayers are with Mieke and family.

Lori Burke

I am so very sorry to hear this.  Although our family no longer has property in Long Beach, we did have a lot...and eventually a home and another lot..on Overlook Drive.  My parents bought the original lot in the late 1950s.  My father built the home there in 1993 and purchased another lot later that my sister and I sold in 2022.  Mieke was so helpful in all of the sales.  I am so very sorry for her health issues.  Please give her our prayers.

Marie Newman and Dorothy Mitchell...daughters of William and Cecilia Mastin.

Dear Mieke,

We may not have known you for as many years as some (though I think it's going on 40) we will miss you just as much. You have been the inspiration to keep Long Beach a wonderful community to live in.

As Cathy and I continue to research old deeds to bring things up to date etc. don't be surprised if you hear a few @#$^^&*@(#('s  Just remember that they are being said with love for a person who made Long Beach happen.

Safe Travels!

 Georgia and Fritz Riedel

Dear Mieke,

Vince and I would like you to know how thankful we are for all the wonderful years spent at Long Beach. It all happened because our fathers had vision that have lasted a lifetime for many of us.  Dad, a country doctor, looking for the perfect place for his  family to relax and enjoy nature at its best  Your father, who created a well-planned community enabling many to build a new  life after a war.

Even as a little girl,  I remember your beautiful mother carrying you around. Good memories, great friendships then and now.

Bless you on your journey.  May you find peace.

Evie Hungerford

Mieke was the first one Erika met in friendly way you said you can come to me if you have some questions

Franz & Erika

I will always remember that beautiful smile when she walked into a room.  One day she was sitting outside the building, I held her hands and they reminded me of my Mom because they were so soft and cold .  When it’s her time to go God will be getting a great angel, love you Mieke.

Cathy Collins

Hello My name is Angela. We moved to the area about 2 yrs ago. Our family is enjoying this area and so glad we moved here. My daughter has enjoyed the beach so much going on walks to clear her head while she figures out life. I haven't been able to get out and enjoy it as much as I would like but the time I have it was peaceful. I have started a cottage food business here in Calvert county something I don't think I would have been able to do in Anne Arundel County every thing I tried to do there I hit roadblocks. I enjoy baking and with having food allegers I get to make things that when I get from other places, I enjoyed but had to deal with getting sick later. Doing this business, I am in hope it gets me out more which so far it has by going to the farmer market and selling on Tuesdays. Iam hoping to beable to raise a little with sales to give back to the community some. Thank you for helping to build this beautiful community. I would love to send you and your family some goodies let me know where I can send or drop off. Prayers for your family and the future of this community. 

Angela Rogers

Can’t remember when we met.  Seems like it was when Woody ( my ex-husband, Bill Mitchell) I and moved to Calvert in 1975.  Bill shared a lot of memories of you, Dino Zervos and him at St. Mary’s College.  

You have been a constant in and out of my life since then, and when I moved to Long Beach in 2000 I became officially a neighbor.

We talked about dogs… All of my dogs and all of yours. And you were a great help when Max was sick and decisions needed to be made.  And I’m glad you got to met Milo.  He is doing much better, we are in training.  And 8 year old rescued Black Lab and 71 year old me.  Old dogs and people can learn new tricks. 

 And you were one of my biggest cheerleaders when I made the decision to go back to school to become a Registered Nurse, and if I posted on Facebook that I had a rough shift at work, you always managed to post something positive and encouraging.  So thank you for that. 

 I am posting sunrise pictures as I can, so I will carry that tradition on.  And even though you are not able to be on the deck to say hello when we walk by in the mornings, know that I am thinking about you and and your family.

 Karen Murphy and Milo

Hi Meike,

You are the one who sold us our house.  Thank you so much. Since then I have become friends with you. I love your spirit.  I have had a few get togethers with you and there was always laughter, this I will miss.  You told it as it was.  I wish peace for you and your family.  You will always have a special place in my heart.  I am the one who has been honking the horn when I go by.  I hope it has not disturbed you, it was done with love.  

Your friends,

Millison and Dave Pritchard

PS.  Sorry the PJs were too small, but glad to know you were bigger then them.  lol

I am so sorry. Your mom is a treasure for all of us. You are both in our prayers. No mother was ever more proud of their daughter than yours. Love,

John Little

  It was about 70 years ago that I came to Long Beach on a fishing trip with my Dad and Mom, Charles and Evelyn Quimby and my brother Charley. We never went fishing, instead we met your Mom and Dad and they found us a cottage on South Harbor Drive.  

    Over the years your Dad and my Dad worked together to gain some nice lots for us. Then you helped Kit and me to by the perfect home on Dogwood Circle. We have loved it ever since.

   Thinking of you and your family with great appreciation.

 Thanks for the memories,

Sue and Kit Stamford

So sorry to hear this, Cara. Lots of memories of your mom. She was one of the first to welcome us to the county and Long Beach fifty years ago.

Tom and Karen Forgette

I am so sorry to hear about this. I will keep you & your family in my prayers. If there’s anything we can do please let me know.

Helen & Wes Grover

Mieke...I so remember meeting you for the first time. We were moving in and you pulled in the driveway,  saw a sticker in my truck window and exclaimed, "Who's the drunk?" I think we bonded immediately having a common foe. Your selflessness,  charity, and love of community are to be admired. Thank you for helping me and others by your example. Ill continue your practice of sharing sunrise pictures. You will be missed.

Dave Kalins

Mieke was the realtor for the people selling the house on Poplar Rd that we bought on 2000 and lived in for over 20 years.  Then I got to know her more being on the LBCA board together.  The last we saw her was when she helped us sell our house to move to North Carolina for retirement.   She's always been a light in Long Beach and almost to us the face of the entire community due to her family's founding and involvement in it.  Mieke, thank you for everything over the years.   For your caring for the community, your work on the board,  for helping new families settle into the community, and for your friendship.  Be at peace and know that you will be greatly missed.   

Love, Paul and Cheryl Veon 

Mieke I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your posts wonderful pictures of nature sunrises, birds, the bay in different weather ,etc 

Diane Scott

Mieke,

I just wanted to send a quick virtual hug your way to say I am thinking of you. So many of my memories of Long Beach have included you. From playing dress up at your house with Cara to walking the beach looking for sharks teeth and seeing a friendly face or even just a wave and a honk while passing by the house as you drove by. There was always a warm presence that neighbors could count on when you were around. Thank you for the years of good times. I know you have been so instrumental in making my favorite place one that all could enjoy. You have been an advocate to keep Long Beach the way we all love it while nudging forward the parts of it that needed to evolve. Thank you for being a wonderful friend to our family and me personally and for doing so much for our community. We are all sending love.

Suzy Menser

Mieke, even though we never hung out together, I felt like we were kindred spirits, and I considered you my friend. I am guessing that is how you made everyone feel. I was looking forward to being able to hang out together once I retired and am sad that I will now need to wait until I travel to the other side. Please know that I think of you fondly and let Cara know that I am around to help her if she needs help.

Karen Kitching

To me, you have always been the embodiment of Long Beach. I started
coming here with my family in 1952. The only phone we knew about was the booth outside your Dad’s office. I loved this place from the moment I saw it, and was always envious that you actually grew up here. Your sunrise photos always brightened my day, and like the “real thing” were the next best thing because when I was working I was gone by sunrise. Thank you for that. Then I found out about your love for dogs which is an instant indicator of someone with a good heart.

Finally, as I mentioned before, you were directly involved in my getting
my last three dogs. I know that when you casually mentioned Joyce needed a foster for a one-eyed Coton and asked if I could take that on, that you knew Bailey did not need to look for a home once I met him. I loved having him in my home, and he was a sweet dog whom I fostered for less than two weeks and then adopted, but you knew that would happen. You also knew that I lost Darwin (severe arthritis) and Bailey (seizures) within a week of each other, so promptly sent a photo of another Coton, Cotton. You knew I would go and check on him, and when I did, found that he and Rocky were bonded, having arrived at the shelter about the same time, so I brought them both home.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing me with loving companions. They have been the joy
of my life, and I can’t thank you enough.

With love, Gary Clarke

Mieke, 

I knew you only a relatively short while and not nearly as well as I would have liked to...but from the very first time I met you (at Spring Cleanup 2019 at the south beach, just shortly after I moved to Long Beach), I was moved by your powerful sense of place and affection for Long Beach. Your love for and gracious generous protection of Long Beach is a true and enduring legacy of love and community for which I am deeply appreciative and grateful for—appreciation and gratitude that is shared by many and will be for generations to come—and I hope that knowing this brings you heart's ease and peace of mind.  

Pam Steinle

When I was on the Board years ago she was our critical institutional memory of all that had begun in the beginning and throughout the following years. Thankfully and but for her, hardly any of our Board members were here in the beginning.  It was also good to hear the stories of how things were, the merry go round, the long walk to the water, the beach pool on the north side of Long Beach. We also had the benefit of Bob Bell’s collection of photos from various people and newspaper clippings, newsletters, etc., to tell the story of our rich her- and his-tory!

 Thank you so much Mieke, for all your contributions to Long Beach’s close, cozy and stunningly beautiful community!

 Sandy Radspieler VanOosten

First met Mieke in 2001, she sold me my house.  4 weeks later she saw me
outside and asked me to join the Board.  Over the years we became good friends.  I especially remember her paying me visits when I was at
University of Maryland Hospitol waiting for liver and kidney
transplant.  She provided a very appreciated moral booster.  She also
provided support for the couple of months when I came home.  I consider her a good source of info on the comings and goings on of the
community.  From the beginning, considered her to be one of the Great
Dames (knights) of Long Beach.  She will always be a friend and I will
miss her.

David Portyrata

I met Mieke 33 years ago when I came to Prince Frederick from Va. Beach to take a job with a local engineering firm.  Hard to believe I was only 35....

I was offered housing in a small cottage on Laurel Rd while my family was in Va. trying to sell our house.  I fell in love with this small community on the bay immediately.  The owner of the cottage introduced me to Mieke and the rest is history....Mieke had me going to board meetings, participating in community projects( I think she took advantage of my engineering background) sold me a small triangular lot and helped me combine it with a vacant 70' R/W to give me enough land to build my 1st house on Ash Rd.  Everyone was so helpful and welcoming.  

After 33 years of beautiful sunrises I find myself appreciating this place more and more.  I will think of you Mieke with every sunrise and thank you and your family for keeping Long Beach a special place.  

Love always.....Jeff Greene