Mary Basil McLean

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Mary Basil McLean passed away peacefully at home in Lothian, Maryland on October 19th, 2023, with family and friends lovingly by her side. Mary bravely surrendered after battling cancer over sixteen years. She was 66 years old.

Born in Annapolis, Maryland on March 9, 1957, Mary was born the youngest of three children to parents Charles and Dorothy Basil. Mary grew up alongside her sister Kathleen and her brother Joseph in a house built by her father and grandfather in the Homewood community.

After graduating from St. Mary’s High School, Mary attended The University of Maryland, earning a nursing degree in 1980. She went on to earn a master’s degree in 1988 and became a clinical specialist. The schooling only enhanced Mary’s natural gifts as a compassionate nurse who loved caring for patients.

Mary married Cevon Marshall McLean in 1985 and had two beloved children, daughter Cara and son Brett. The family made a home in Lothian, Maryland and years later built a dream beach home in the outer banks of North Carolina. Their beautiful home on sand provided countless happy memories and was Mary’s sanctuary for peace in difficult days. Mary also enjoyed time at a farm property in southern Maryland she purchased with her children. There Mary loved to tend to the horses and sit beside a small pond and watch her dogs run free.

Mary suffered tragedy in later years, losing her husband Cevon in a fatal car accident on April 9, 2017, followed by her sister Kathy who also lost a long battle with cancer in 2020.

The losses while painful, never weakened Mary’s will to live and love. She made time for boating, fishing, sharing meals, going to horse shows with her daughter, spending time with her children and enjoying meaningful friendships after retiring in 2021 from Anne Arundel Medical Center where she worked for 42 years.

Mary had a quiet confidence that was beautiful and rare. She was as loving as she was strong which made all who knew her feel safe beside her. She will be missed today and for all the tomorrows.

Mary is survived by her children Brett Basil McLean (33) and Cara Elizabeth McLean (31) and her brother Joseph William Basil, his wife Nancy and son Michael and two nephews William and John Whitlock. She is also survived by a large extended family including Claire McLean, Christie Applequist, Chari McLean, Charles McLean, their spouses and children.