Mary Olga Bova Fields

On a crisp fall morning in Brookline, Massachusetts the 2nd of October 1948 Mary Bova made her grand entrance into the world. The daughter of Joseph and Olga Bova and the baby sister of Joe Bova she was destined to do great things, but not before facing some serious tragedies and trials. She would only spend a few years in Massachusetts before moving with her family to Palm Beach, FL due to her WWII veteran father’s failing health. At the age of nine her mother passed away and she would lose her father to cancer just two short years later. She would be raised by her paternal grandmother and older brother. Tragedy would however strike again as her grandmother would pass just five short years after losing her father.

She would credit her brother Joe for picking up the pieces and helping her finish high school and ensuring she went to college. Mary graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts and Education with a major in elementary education and a focus on grammar and composition. She also contributed to a study that would be published in the Library of Congress.

With all these amazing accomplishments and a bright future ahead, her life would once again change course after a date to the Florida State Fair. She would meet the love of her life that night. He was a Fireman who was also a veteran of the Vietnam War, and an active Navy Reservist. Surprisingly, Mary and John attended the same junior and senior high schools and even had mutual friends but had never met each other before. John Fields would sweep her off her feet and recount that he called his mom after their first date to tell her that he met the woman he would marry. Six months later after a small wedding ceremony in a borrowed wedding dress they were married. She was now Mary Bova Fields.

Shortly after being married, they would begin to attend a Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, FL where Mary would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. As they became more involved in their church her husband would soon be called to preach. Mary would give up everything she knew and say goodbye to everyone she loved, so that she could help support her husband through Bible College as a teacher in Atlanta, GA. After working in a few different ministries, they would receive a call from a former Pastor who had moved to Michigan. He felt like God wanted them to move to Pontiac, MI to help him start a Christian School. After a period of laughter (you see Mary had told God that Atlanta was as far north as she wanted to go) they agreed to pray about this request. After visiting Heritage Baptist Church in 1978 they made another move once again this time to a state where you had to get on I-75 South to go to Canada (so much for not moving farther north!!)

Mary taught at Heritage Christian School from 1978-2013. She attempted to retire twice throughout the years, but as there were students who needed her, she could never stay away too long. She would not only be a beloved teacher, but a loving and supportive Pastor’s wife. She was never too busy to help her church family. This author could of course name an exhaustive list of the many hats she wore over the years, but her favorite hat was that of Mom. No one could have asked for a better mother and friend. She was unwavering in her support and unconditional in her love. She was the mother she never had.

She would fight cancer and win on two separate occasions, but her latest diagnosis would be her last battle with this insidious foe. In her final days she was blessed to be able to see her daughter marry a man who exemplifies the qualities she treasured in her own husband. She was completely at peace when she passed and was looking forward to seeing her Savior and her husband of 52 years who had gone to be with the Lord two years prior.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Hollie Fields-Ray, son-in-law William Ray IV, sister-in-law Sharon Bova, niece Jamie Germaine, and nephew Christopher Bova.

P.S. Mom- I think I used commas in all the right places, left no dangling participles, ended any sentences with prepositions, and of course made sure to have antecedents!!! Thank you for being the BEST mommy and the truest example of a godly wife. I know I will be with you in Heaven someday, but until then my heart will ache for want of seeing you.

In Lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations to the Heritage Baptist Church in honor of Mary.