Mary (Clark) Barclay, of Duxbury, was born on September 13, 1932, and died at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth on September 24, 2014. Mary grew up in Needham and summered in Mattapoisett. She graduated from Needham High in 1950, then attended Leslie College where she graduated with a BA. She began teaching at the Duxbury Elementary school in 1954 where she met her future husband (Tom Barclay).
She was married in 1955 and had 6 children (5 boys, 1 girl) between 1957 and 1967. The Barclay family initially lived on Depot St., but moved to Wadsworth Rd. about 1960 as they outgrew the 1st house. Mary resided on Wadsworth Rd. for 53 years until Alzheimer's forced her into a nursing home late last year.
Mary was a gifted photographer and artist (her framed pictures are legendary throughout Duxbury). She worked at the Boston School for the Deaf until it closed, then taught as a substitute teacher in the Duxbury school system for +25 years where she is remembered as the most popular art teacher ever (she taught art even when she was supposed to be teaching math or English). In addition to photography and art, she was also active with the American Legion Auxiliary (Post 223 in Duxbury), traveled extensively in her mid-life years (she took thousands of pictures), and volunteered at the Duxbury Thrift Shop.
She leaves behind sons Timmy and his fiancé Suzanne (Duffy) Deveney in Kingston, Scott (address unknown), Keith and his wife Meg (Hill) Barclay in Kingston, daughter Deidre (Barclay) Morse in Middleboro, 5 grandchildren (Troy, Jeffrey, and Adie Morse; Jesse and Julia Barclay), as well as her sister Joan (Clark) Morris. Mary was preceded in death by her sons, Brett (1984) and Kevin Barclay (2009), and by her grandson Cole Morse (1991).
Mary had an endless amount of energy and loved being with people. She loved life and had many close friends who will miss her dearly. "Each day is a gift…Don't waste it" she used to say. Mary loved her life, her family, and living in the town of Duxbury…she will be remembered by many.
Funeral arrangements handled by the Bartlett Funeral home, 338 Court Street, Plymouth. Visitation will be on Friday October 3rd from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. A mass will be at Holy Family Church in Duxbury on Saturday morning October 4th at 10:30 am. Interment will directly follow at Mayflower Cemetery, then a reception at the Duxbury Senior Center.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Alzheimer's at www.alz.org in her name, or mail a donation check to:
Alzheimer's Association
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, DC 20090-601