In Memory Of
Mary F. Blevins
1936
2023
Mary F. Blevins
November 14, 1936 — July 24, 2023
On July 24, 2023, Mary Louise Abigail Fitzgerald Blevins concluded her earthly pilgrimage with grace, grit and detachment, whereupon she heard glad shouts~ "here she comes!" from husband Albert, son John and granddaughter Josephine Martha.
Born on November 14, 1936, Mary was the eldest daughter of Francis X. and Pauline Fitzgerald. She attended St John the Evangelist School in North Cambridge, MA for twelve years. She then studied at Cambridge City Hospital School of Nursing for three years, graduating as a Registered Nurse. She married Albert Cook Blevins the next day, September 7, 1957.
Mary and Albert raised "six wonderful children" on the move. Albert's law enforcement career and promotions sent the Blevins family westward, from Somerville MA to Springfield, MA, Rochester NY, Cleveland, OH, Liberty Center, OH and Detroit, Ml within 20 years. Every new home had three criteria: a good school, a Catholic Church within walking distance and a zoo. A nearby hospital was critical as well, as Mary continued her nursing career on the 11PM to 7AM night shift.
In 1978, Albert was promoted to Superintendent of Conrail Police. The family finally settled in East Greenbush, NY., and Mary worked at Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1994. She was a dedicated Holy Spirit Parishioner, volunteering thousands of hours in the Eucharistic, Rosary & Funeral Ministries. She held court at the 4PM Saturday Masses for decades, greeting friends for a chit chat from her usual last row seat in between reciting the rosary.
This tradition continued until Mary moved to a new home, Peregrine Senior Living at Shaker, and a new Parish, St. Pius X, where she was warmly welcomed. Though her physical and cognitive capacity diminished over time, Mary's faith and inherent nurse's benevolence remained steadfast. She enjoyed the gifts of time, care, and unconditional love from the attentive staff and indeed transformed into a highly social, engaged resident. Energized by the Atlantic Ocean, she loved road trips to Hyannis, MA and Portland, Maine. She loved dining out, in fancy restaurants or a simple pizza and sub. She especially enjoyed rambling field trips to Equine Advocates, Kinderhook Farms and Samascott Farms, hot fudge sundaes and precious pictures of her family.
Mary is survived by her sister Eileen (Frank) Galgay, daughters Anne M Blevins, Pauline (Robert) Johnson and Eileen (Eric Muldoon) Blevins, sons Richard (Mary) Blevins and William (Jenelle) Blevins, grandchildren Emily (Brian) Chapin, Robert (Kathryn) Johnson, Rebecca (Kyle) Mcsweeney, John and Matthew Blevins and Francis and Benedict Blevins and her great grandchildren Luke and Jack Chapin, Hendrick and Loden Johnson and Charlotte Mcsweeney.
Her loyal pup, lnspectah Medika, steadfastly comforted and guarded her "Nanny," especially throughout Mary's final weeks.
A Funeral Mass celebrating Mary and Albert will be held Saturday August 19, 2023 at 9:30 at St Pius X, Loudonville, NY., with visiting hours in the church from 9am-930 am prior to the Mass. Services will be livestreamed. Internment will take place in October, when Mary and Albert will receive a military burial at sea from a Naval ship.
In lieu of flowers, extending kindness and forgiveness to others will honor Mary and Albert's memory.
To share a memory of Mary or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
Born on November 14, 1936, Mary was the eldest daughter of Francis X. and Pauline Fitzgerald. She attended St John the Evangelist School in North Cambridge, MA for twelve years. She then studied at Cambridge City Hospital School of Nursing for three years, graduating as a Registered Nurse. She married Albert Cook Blevins the next day, September 7, 1957.
Mary and Albert raised "six wonderful children" on the move. Albert's law enforcement career and promotions sent the Blevins family westward, from Somerville MA to Springfield, MA, Rochester NY, Cleveland, OH, Liberty Center, OH and Detroit, Ml within 20 years. Every new home had three criteria: a good school, a Catholic Church within walking distance and a zoo. A nearby hospital was critical as well, as Mary continued her nursing career on the 11PM to 7AM night shift.
In 1978, Albert was promoted to Superintendent of Conrail Police. The family finally settled in East Greenbush, NY., and Mary worked at Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1994. She was a dedicated Holy Spirit Parishioner, volunteering thousands of hours in the Eucharistic, Rosary & Funeral Ministries. She held court at the 4PM Saturday Masses for decades, greeting friends for a chit chat from her usual last row seat in between reciting the rosary.
This tradition continued until Mary moved to a new home, Peregrine Senior Living at Shaker, and a new Parish, St. Pius X, where she was warmly welcomed. Though her physical and cognitive capacity diminished over time, Mary's faith and inherent nurse's benevolence remained steadfast. She enjoyed the gifts of time, care, and unconditional love from the attentive staff and indeed transformed into a highly social, engaged resident. Energized by the Atlantic Ocean, she loved road trips to Hyannis, MA and Portland, Maine. She loved dining out, in fancy restaurants or a simple pizza and sub. She especially enjoyed rambling field trips to Equine Advocates, Kinderhook Farms and Samascott Farms, hot fudge sundaes and precious pictures of her family.
Mary is survived by her sister Eileen (Frank) Galgay, daughters Anne M Blevins, Pauline (Robert) Johnson and Eileen (Eric Muldoon) Blevins, sons Richard (Mary) Blevins and William (Jenelle) Blevins, grandchildren Emily (Brian) Chapin, Robert (Kathryn) Johnson, Rebecca (Kyle) Mcsweeney, John and Matthew Blevins and Francis and Benedict Blevins and her great grandchildren Luke and Jack Chapin, Hendrick and Loden Johnson and Charlotte Mcsweeney.
Her loyal pup, lnspectah Medika, steadfastly comforted and guarded her "Nanny," especially throughout Mary's final weeks.
A Funeral Mass celebrating Mary and Albert will be held Saturday August 19, 2023 at 9:30 at St Pius X, Loudonville, NY., with visiting hours in the church from 9am-930 am prior to the Mass. Services will be livestreamed. Internment will take place in October, when Mary and Albert will receive a military burial at sea from a Naval ship.
In lieu of flowers, extending kindness and forgiveness to others will honor Mary and Albert's memory.
To share a memory of Mary or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary F. Blevins, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Service
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Starts at 9:30 am (Eastern time)
St. Pius X Church
Guestbook
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