On July 2nd, 1945, in Sacramento, California, Bob and Marie Bothwell (now deceased) welcomed their second child, Mary Lenore. The Bothwell family later grew to five children (Esther, Mary, Paul, Lois, and Dave).
As the daughter of missionary parents, Mary spent her entire childhood and teen years in central Africa (modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo), where she spoke Swahili, French, and some Wolof, and has more outrageous stories than could be documented in one lifetime. In the early 1960’s, civil unrest forced the family to leave Africa and return to the United States.
The Bothwell family ultimately settled in the north Denver area where Mary graduated from high school as the class valedictorian. She then went on to study chemistry at Colorado State University where she met her husband, Bob. The two were married on August 22, 1965, and went on to have a 58½ year marriage filled with joyous family, church service, travel adventures, and lots of sporting events.
Mary was an extraordinary person endowed with intelligence, creativity, musical abilities, a big heart for people, and a gift of gab. She was a mother and grandmother figure to many people beyond her own family – volunteering in classrooms, teaching music, making homemade birthday cards, endless batches of cookies, and providing a wise maternal role for countless people in the community. She was a gifted piano player – people loved her Sunday offertory arrangements in church! In addition to piano, Mary also played six other instruments.
Mary had an innumerable number of acquaintances, but her top priority was always her family. Her beloved husband (Bob); her precious three children (Stephanie, Dan, and Sarah) and their spouses (Nick, Lisa, and Michael); seven grandchildren (Jacob, Dawson, Audrey, Jackson, Reese, Jack, and Lucas), and their significant others (Ryan and Mekenna). If you only spent a few minutes with Mary, you would immediately know the immense pride and love she had for her family.
Mary passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 20th, surrounded by love and family.
In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that donations are made to WorldVenture.com (please designate fund 6403-913, Publication of Wolof Scripture) in memory of Mary and her love for the people of Africa.
A visitation will be held from 4pm to 7pm, Friday, March 1st at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway in Turlock. A celebration of Mary’s life will be held at 10am, on Saturday, March 2nd at First Baptist Church, 290 West Olive Ave in Turlock. Interment to follow at Turlock Memorial Park. A reception will be announced after the service.
Follow this link to watch the livestream of the funeral service:
https://www.youtube.com/live/S6Qzx_ewu5A?si=7I0CIDI-23gF9nB4
Condolence(1)-
debilyne says
March 9, 2024 at 8:46 pmDearest Bob, and family our hearts are saddened to hear of Mary’s passing Mary and Bob, we’re like family to the Barringer family and many memories and all the times you both we’re there for our family.
We still can see Mary, when she came to the family and friends barbecue and there old friends had such a wonderful time.
We regret not being there to show our support and when time is right we will call you.
Love Kenny and Debbie Barringer and family