St. Anthony of Padua Fraternity
Bulletin
Vol. 13 No. 6 June 2008
Mary Boufford died March 26, 2009
Mary married a man, Harry, who had been a student at St. Bridget's School in its early beginnings. After having her family, while she was extremely active in the Parish, she suffered a stroke which incapacitated her for a long time. Eventually, she recovered speech but she still had one side that "didn't cooperate" as she told me one time. She didn't go to daily Mass because it took her 3 hours to get ready.
Mary was part of the Charismatic Renewal group from St. Alphonsus during the early ’80’s and when Fr. Carl, Bernadette, LaRayne, and Marion brought them to St. Bridget's, Mary volunteered as a group leader. I was in her group. Her faith, patience, piety, was such an example of her commitment, that after the "life in the spirit" I asked her if she ever considered becoming a Secular Franciscan. She said, in her usual fashion, "No." But later, when she saw the expression of love and joy in the Fraternity, she changed her mind and I was pleased to be her sponsor.
My years at St. Bridget were blessed by having Mary as a friend, where I was able to share our parish "doings" and had her grandson in a class of mine. Mary Francis or "little Mary," her daughter, was also part of the fraternity for quite a while. After Harry died and Mary was experiencing some age related problems, they sold the house and moved away. I hadn’t known of the move to Florida, but as her daughters were so concerned and involved with Mary’s health, it didn’t surprise me. Another good friend will be waiting for us in Heaven.
Pax et Bonum, Mary.
Carol