at 89 years old on January 1, 2022 in Apple Valley, California.
She is preceded in death by her husband Lt. Col. Charles Barry
Clavin II, ret., her parents Frank and Anna Foley, brother Michael
Foley, sister Ann Wong, brothers-in-law: Dennis Wong and
Steven Wong, parents-in-law: Charles and Mildred Clavin,
brother-in-law and wife: C.Peter and Roberta Clavin, nephews:
Bobby and Jeff Clavin, brother-in-law Paul Rochford, and niece
Amy Rochford.
Mary is survived by her 5 children: Michael (Janet) of OH,
Deacon Daniel (Leslie) of OH, Mary Catherine (Ralph) McCaffrey
of CA, Sean (Theresa) of MO, and Carole (Jeffrey) Cole of CA.
Mary is also survived by her sister Margaret “Pegi” Wong of MA,
sister-in-law Patricia Clavin Rochford of RI, 15 grandchildren, 21
great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews and many
very dear friends.
Mary was the oldest of four children. She was a telephone
operator in her early 20s. She married Barry after only 3 dates in
several years on July 10, 1954 at Saint Lawrence Catholic
Church in their hometown of New Bedford, MA. Mary traveled the
world with her Air Force husband having children all over the
world going from England to Africa back to the United States to
South Carolina and back to England then back to the United
States again to Otis Air Force Base in MA. Mary made friends all
over the world. In 1968, her husband was transferred to George
Air Force Base in Victorville, CA. After two weeks of living in the
Apple Valley Motel, the Clavin family moved into their forever
home in Apple Valley, CA. As her children grew up and moved
out, Mary lived in Apple Valley for nearly 54 years. Mary was an
active homemaker and roommother when the children were
younger. She was also ever present in church (Saint David’s
which later became Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church).
Some of the ministries Mary was involved in were the Stephen’s
Ministry, and the lector ministry. Mary also attended prayer
meetings at Saint Joan of Arc in Victorville, CA in the early 1970s
then the meetings moved to Holy Family Catholic Church in
Hesperia in the late 1970s. Mary was a daily Mass attendee and
lectured most Wednesdays for Mass. Mary started the Prayer
Line at Our Lady of the Desert Church and prayed for many,
many people over the years. Most she prayed for without their
knowledge. In 2009, her husband Barry, of 55 years, passed.
She had a strong devotion to Our Lady. She was dedicated to
praying for her whole family. Mary also prayed for peace in the
world. Four important factors in Mary’s life were: God, faith,
family, and humor. Mary was a true confidant and faithful friend.
She telephoned her children, sisters, and friends to hear any
news about our lives, to pray for another, or to simply laugh. A
conversation of laughter with Mary could last hours. We will all
miss you, Mary Frances, Mom, Gma, GiGi Mary, Aunty Mary.
Arrangements for Mary’s funeral are as follows: February 3, 2022
at Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church 18386 Corwin Rd.,
Apple Valley, CA 92307. Rosary at 10:30AM Funeral 11:00AM
reception to follow in the hall.
February 4, 2022 Rite of Committal with Final Commendation
1:30PM at Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd.,
Riverside, CA 92518
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