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Mary Bolles Obituary

Mary P Bolles Last surviving child of Marie and William T. Piper of Piper Aircraft, died peacefully on Nov 19 in her home at the Sequoias. She was born on Feb 20, 1913 in Portsmouth, OH and raised in the oil boomtown of Bradford, PA. While attending Radcliffe College, Mary met and married archeologist, architect, art gallery owner, John S. Bolles. After a honeymoon, working on the excavation of Persepolis, they moved to the Bay Area. Mary raised five children while pursuing her interests in art, gardening, social work and education. She served on the boards of Florence Crittenden Home, Hunter's Point Boys Club and Marlboro College. At age 69, Mary completed her undergraduate degree in Sociology at Harvard University. She is survived by her children, Peter, David, Jane, Sarah and J. Thomas, 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 4 to Dec. 5, 2010.

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2 Entries

john rumsey

December 13, 2010

I will always remember Mary, though my contact with her was limited in the 50s and 60s I can not forget her spirit
John Rumsey

Laurie Green

December 4, 2010

Mary was my gynecology patient for years. What a great spirit! She was clearly a pioneer, the type of intellectual, strong, energetic woman whose achievements paved the way for the career women that followed in her wake. I truly enjoyed our annual visits. She had a wonderful sense of both perspective and humor, and she never complained even as age related illness set in. I shall miss her. Laurie Green MD

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