MARY LOUISE MCCAFFREY

Mary Louise McCaffrey, a longtime Fresno resident, teacher, author and mentor, passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2010. She was a loving daughter and sister; a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and a caring and nurturing friend. Born on May 6, 1925, and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, she left home in her late teens to join family in California. In 1945, she met a handsome blue-eyed American soldier, Cyril McCaffrey in Palm Springs. Married shortly thereafter, they moved to Bakersfield where they raised their sons on the family farm and shared 37 happy years. When her sons were in school, she earned her teaching credential and Masters Degree. She taught for nearly 30 years, many at Mettler Elementary. A dedicated, kindhearted and encouraging teacher, always willing to go the extra mile for her students, Mary Lou touched many lives. In 1990 after Cyril's passing, she moved to Fresno and embarked upon a new career as an author and mentor to aspiring authors. She wrote a book, "A Handful of Sand" and was honored with several writing awards. For Mary Lou, family always came first. One of her greatest thrills was watching her sons, Michael and Robert, play football at CAL and USC respectively, the College All-Star Game, then go on to become starting players in the NFL. Full of life, her generous and bright spirit graced our lives. We will miss her witty charm and keen mind. The family would like to thank Angels Landing Senior Home Care for their loving and compassionate care of our mother. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Nils Hokanson and Martha Axelson; her husband, Cyril McCaffrey; and infant son, Francis. She is survived by her two sons: Michael and Robert, and Robert's wife, Karen; and two sisters, Betty Hewitt in Medford, Oregon and Susan Kincannon in Charlottesville, Virginia. Also survived by five grandchildren: Darren and Cristine McCaffrey, Megan (McCaffrey) McHenry and Justin McHenry, and Ryan McCaffrey; Brent and Elizabeth McCaffrey, and Lauren (McCaffrey) Knowlton and Ash Knowlton; two great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Mayfield and Braden McCaffrey. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fresno at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Remembrances in memory of Mary Louise McCaffrey may be made by donations to Saint Agnes Medical Center-Cancer Center, 7130 North Millbrook Avenue, Fresno, Ca. 93720-3347; or to Catholic Charities, 149 North Fulton Street, Fresno, Ca. 93701. WHITEHURST, SULLIVAN, BURNS & BLAIR Funeral Home 1525 E. Saginaw Way Fresno, California (559)227-4048 www.whitehurstsullivan.com