Mary V. Babin

Mary V. Babin, 82 Mary Volkert Babin, 82, of Havertown, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Babin was born in Yeadon to Edward and Mary Volkert, along with two sisters Doris Stephanski (deceased) and Beatrice Zimmerman. She is a graduate of the Villa Maria Academy class of 1948. Mary was taught piano at a young age by her grandmother and soon after, at the age of 11, she became the full time organist at St. Louis Catholic church in Yeadon. This was to be the beginning of a long and illustrious career in church music. She spent the next 68 years on the bench of an organ providing income to support her family. Mary played many venues; weddings, funerals, school functions and special events for various catholic churches in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Her most notable performances included the 1976 Eucharistic Congress at the Spectrum and several performances at the Basilica of St's Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. She frequently attended the annual national Convention of Pastoral Musicians. Mary was also employed as a full time organist for 38 years at Sacred Heart Church in Manoa. She dedicated her life to church music and served as president of the Association of Church Musicians of Philadelphia in the 1970's. She retired from music professionally in 2010 when the effects of macular degeneration prevented her from reading sheet music. In 1951 she married John H Babin (deceased) of Havertown, and went on to raise 6 children. During the late 60's through early 70's, Mary and her husband John, who was legally blind, together owned and operated "Mary V's" Discount Clothing Outlet in Collingdale. Mary spent her most recent years enjoying her family, playing slots at the casinos, gardening and bargain hunting. She moved from Havertown to Springfield in recent years and enjoyed spending time with her neighbors and making new friends. Mary was very spiritual, and her devotion to God and family were unheralded. She lost her daughter Kathleen to a sudden illness at the age of 12 and this only strengthened Mary's faith in God. Survivors: her children; John (Maryann) Babin; Judith (Tom) Hogan; Mary (Robert) Bulgarelli; Joseph Babin; Edward (Pam) Babin; sister Beatrice Zimmerman; 19 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Viewing: Thursday 7:00pm to 9:00 PM and Friday 9:45 to 10:45 Followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 at Sacred Heart Church, Manoa Rd and West Chester Pike Havertown, Pa. In lieu of Flowers the family respectfully requests donations to: Diabetes Scholar Foundation: www.diabetesscholars.org Or Foundation Fighting Blindness: www.blindness.org Or Sacred Heart Church: www.sacredheartmanoa.org