Mary Moore Boulay (1932 – 2014)
Mary Louise Moore was born to William and Mary Moore in Waynesboro, Virginia. Her childhood adventures of riding horses and exploring the Appalachian forests shaped her life-long love of animals and the outdoors. She majored in English at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she belonged to Alpha Delta Pi sorority and Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society. After graduation, she worked as an editor for a federal intelligence agency in Washington, D.C. At the agency, she met her future husband, René A. Boulay. She eventually left the agency to focus on raising her children, Peg and David. When René retired from government service, the family moved to Clearwater in 1979. Mary worked as a library assistant for the Clearwater Public Library. In their retirement, René and Mary enjoyed traveling to the mountains of North Carolina and feeding the squirrels at Crest Lake Park. After René’s passing in 2008, Mary moved to assisted living at Emeritus at Clearwater, where she made many friends and gained the nickname “Walking Mary” due to her love of exploratory walks. She was happiest when she was in nature, and she spent many joyous hours walking in parks with her children.
Mary cared deeply about serving her community, and she volunteered for North Chevy Chase Elementary School, Clearwater High School, the Audubon Naturalist Society, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and several political campaigns. She loved helping people, reading books, writing poetry and limericks, crafting clever puns, and being with animals (especially horses). She was politically engaged, and she was proud to be a dedicated Democrat. She will be remembered for her friendliness, unwavering cheerfulness, compassion, intelligence, and sense of humor. Mary was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, René, and is survived by her daughter, Peg, and son, David. As per her request, no service will be held. Donations in her memory may be made to Randolph College, the Humane Society, or other charity.
The picture is a family picture.
Veterans Funeral Care
727-524-9202
My prayers go out to you and your sister. Ypur mother was a beautiful lady inside and out, im glad i had the honor to know her. Xo
Dave & Peg, my love to you both at the passing of your beloved mother. She was indeed very intelligent and had such a wonderful sense of humor. She and I used to go on outings to different parks and beaches and had much fun. We talked often of our children and many times she expressed to me her love and pride for you both.
Peggy and David, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
We are keeping you and your sister in our prayers today and always. I hope that you can soon find peace in all the wonderful memories of your very special Mother.
Dear Peg and David,
I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s death. From the moment I met your mother’s cousin, John, to whom I was married for more than 4 decades, he spoke constantly of his beloved cousin Mary. When we were stationed in Maryland, we had the chance to visit your parents a few times. This was the period when Peg was born. What joy that brought the Moore family! And then David! We began to make fairly regular trips to Florida in the late 90s, and a visit with Rene and Mary was always on the agenda. We had such a good time visiting and eating French food. The conversations were great. It must have been a wonderful experience growing up with them as parents. Your loss is great. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you. — Judy White
Peg, I wish our mother’s could have known each other; they would have liked one another. She sounds lovely.
We are thinking about you and your sister in your time of loss and anything we can do to help please don’t hesitate to ask your mom was a beautiful woman and will be sorely missed
I just “met” Mary Boulay five minutes ago in reading the profile of her that Peg shared. What a remarkable person she was, and how unsurprising it is that Peg turned out to be the daughter and person she is today.
Peg, I wish I’d had a chance to meet your mother. But having read what you had to say about her, I can clearly see parts of her reflected through you and feel like I already knew her just a little…
my best to you and your family, Bart
Dave,
We were very sorry to hear about your loss. Your Mom had a positive impact on the world and will be sorely missed.
Mary and Rene were special neighbors, and Mary was so kind to our children. She was a unique person and you will miss her. We send our sympathy,
The Stevenson Family
Grateful for the service and for what you brought to the world.
To Peg and her brother David: Your mom sounds like she was a very, very special and wonderful person, a GREAT mom AND fun! I would have loved to have met her! My thoughts are with you as you move through this transition. Big hugs.
I am gifted to have known Mary for nearly 20 years, as Peg’s partner/husband. That would have made Mary my “mother in law,” but that word is full of stereotypes that didn’t fit her or our relationship. “Friend” is far more fitting. I remember meeting Mary and Rene’ when they showed up at our Eugene (OR) home in about 1995, and we hit it off instantly over the next 3 days of food and wine tasting. I always thought that was brave of them to just “dive right in” to a trip, not having met me before.
Peg and I made many annual trips to FL to visit Rene’ and Mary and Peg’s brother, David, and the last few years (since Rene’s death), just Mary and David. Mary was and is an inspiration to me of humility, a practitioner of simplicity and lightness on people and planet, clever humor, and love of animals and nature. (Bitty, perhaps your mom, Mary, and my mom all should have met!) Oh, yes — and appreciation of good food! All of this she passed on to Peg, which makes me doubly fortunate: both to be with Peg, and in having known Mary. I shall remember many a walk with Mary and Peg (and often David) at Honeymoon Island, the Florida Gardens, Boyd Hill, Moccasin, Brooker Creek, and every other nature park we could find in the area. And our many visits to art galleries (such as the Dunedin Art Center in December 2013), and restaurants such as Le Bouchon, Cafe’ Largo, the Peppermill and the Wild Iris Cafe’ with Rene’ and often David.
David and Peg did a great service by caring for Mary the last few years — and doing a wonderful job of it! Thanks to both of you.
Mary, the Gopher Tortoises at Honeymoon, the squirrels at Crest Lake Park, and all your family and friends miss you.
I’ll do my best to carry on the kindness and goodness that you brought to the world, Mary Boulay.
Goodbye, and thank you.
…and Ft. DeSoto should be a prominent site listed on the “nature park” list in my post…
Thinking of Mary Boulay after her recent passing Tuesday, and I’m thankful for her service and her love of nature. I am a beneficiary of the volunteer service of the amazing daughter she raised, who continues these traditions.
Dana Dedrick
…and Ft. DeSoto should be a prominent site listed on the “nature park” list in my post…
Dear Peg, I never had the pleasure of meeting your Mom but your tribute to and stories about her make it clear who she was and that you not only loved and enjoyed your Mom in every way but have embraced her life view. Happiness, mirth, good sense solutions. Although a “mother-void” will always be felt , knowing & sharing her stories are connections that continue. Thank you Peg and we are all loving your Mom and send our thoughts to you and family this April. Gail, Clay and Nicole.
Peg, your mom sounds like a truly amazing woman, and clearly you are carrying on her legacy! My heart is with you.
David, Peg and Bruce, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so glad to have met your remarkable parents. Your Mom will be truly missed by many as she touched a lot of lives. Hope you find peace, strength and healing in the words and thoughts of all those that care. I am very sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing the stories and photos of your mother-though I never met her, I can now see her in you
I knew Mary as we both worked at the Clearwater Public Library. She was very bright, capable, efficient, gracious, great with the public and a thoroughly nice person. I am so glad I knew her, and I send my sympathies to her family.
What a life, what a lovely memorial! We sense the joy and happiness of her life through your words. Chris and Molly
Mary Boulay, what a beautiful person. I could always count on her gentle ways and contentment. You all are in my prayers.
I am sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. Many years ago we worked together at Clearwater library.
My regards and condolences to her family and friends.
Her kind, gentle spirit is gone, but not forgotten.
Dave I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. I enjoyed our walks around the nature preserve, she always seemed so happy there.
karen
I cannot begin to understand what you must be going through right now, but I send my love and
heartfelt condolences to your family at this challenging time.