Mary Frances Girlinghouse Passman

Mary Frances Girlinghouse Passman

October 26, 1927-June 4, 2024

A Celebration of Life for Mary Passman, 96, who died June 4, 2024, in Baton Rouge, LA, at her son’s house, will be at her home, 7854 Highway 8, Harrisonburg, LA.

The graveside service will be at Girlinghouse Hill Memorial Park on Friday June 7, 2024 at 10:30 AM under the direction of Riser & Son Funeral Home of Columbia, LA., with Pastor Jon Lord officiating.

Mary was born on October 26, 1927, at home in Harrisonburg, LA, the daughter of Hazel Frances Wright Girlinghouse and William Howard Girlinghouse. She graduated as Valedictorian at Harrisonburg High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Northwestern College in Natchitoches, LA.

Mary married Dr. John Carl Passman, Jr. in 1949 and had four children with him. They had an active, adventurous family and spent a lot of time on great travels. In the 1970’s, her husband and boys became very interested in moto cross, and she became a kind of camp mother to a lot of the motocross racers. In 1974, Mary and Dr. Passman divorced.

She reinvented herself several times in her life, overcoming many obstacles, and always being a devoted mother to her children.

Later in life, she developed a career as a caregiver, staying with elderly people in their final years. Sometimes her clients were younger than her.

Eventually, she moved back to her childhood home in Harrisonburg. She loved her home and being close to relatives and friends and surrounded by her beloved cats and dogs. She remained very active until last year and amazed everyone with her endurance. Last year, when she could no longer drive, she moved to Baton Rouge to live with her son Carl, accompanied by her loyal dog, Lucky and her demanding cat, Socks.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Charles Bradley Passman, and her longtime partner, William Alexander Huffman. Survivors include her children, Carlane Passman of Obidos, Portugal, Paul Gavin Passman (Susan) of Canton, GA, and Carl Frederick Passman (Gloria McConnell) of Baton Rouge, LA.

Grandchildren are Samantha Gail Passman and Sydney Claire Passman of Lewisburg, TN, Colby Joseph Passman of Natchez, MS, Eliot Osborne Passman and Alton Joseph Passman of Baton Rouge, LA, Luke Alexander Passman and Vivien Rose Passman of Canton, GA, and Breanna Kathleen Little and Ian Michael Little of Los Angeles, CA.

Pallbearers will be Paul Passman, Carl Passman, Colby Passman, Eliot Passman, Alton Passman, and Ian Little.

Memorials may be made to Harrisonburg Methodist Church, 117 Pine St, Harrisonburg LA 71340.

We are extremely grateful for the care provided by Baton Rouge General Home Health and Hearts of Hospice in Baton Rouge. Thank you to all the nurses, aides, and sitters who provided such loving and skilled care.