1943
Mary
2024
Mary Elaine Byrd
June 9, 1943 — May 3, 2024
Mount Airy
Born on June 9, 1943 in Norwalk, CT, she was the daughter of the late John William Finch, Jr. and Frances Dorothy (White) Finch.
Mary was a National Honor Society Member at Norwalk High School and served as the President of the Future Nurses Club. She auditioned for the Connecticut All-State Orchestra in Hartford and was selected as second violin in her junior year and as first violin in her senior year. While rehearsing there in October 1960, she met another violinist, her future husband Roger from Naugatuck CT. Mary attended the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing and became a Registered Nurse in 1964. After a long engagement, Mary and Roger were married on June 12, 1965 in Naugatuck CT.
Mary put her nurses training to good purpose at the Institute for Living while Roger completed his BMU at the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, CT. They moved to Maryland while Roger served in the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer during the Vietnam Crisis. Mary held several other professional positions but when their son Jeffrey William was born in 1967, she found her highest calling as a mother and very proud, future grandmother.
Only 5 weeks shy of their 59th wedding anniversary, Mary and Roger cherished their life together, with many family visits to Kerhonkson NY, trips from Canada to Texas and along the coast of Maine and NH, visits with Roger’s family in Louisiana and Arkansas, and a fair bit of yard sale adventures in between. Music was always a part of their bond - for Roger, it was performing in many orchestras, most recently volunteering with the Frederick Symphony and for Mary, being the happy listener.
Mary made fast friends in all the many places she and Roger called home. Always a good listener, neighbor and helper, her friends remember her with love and much affection. She was a gardener who admitted she actually enjoyed pulling weeds. Mary was quite the artist with her crochet hooks. She shared her famous zucchini bread recipe with many, including grandson Adam who continues to bake it for his fortunate friends. Granddaughter Chloe is a rising junior at Virginia Tech, on her way to becoming a naval officer. Frequent visits and close by pictures of Jeff, Adam and Chloe gave her joy right to the very end of her well lived life, with her life partner holding her hand.
Husband Roger: “Praise be to God for bringing us together, some kind of wonderful, super glue! The best 63 years ever.”
In addition to her husband, she is survived by their son, Jeffery William Byrd, two grandchildren Adam Wesley Byrd and Chloe Ann Byrd, Mary’s brother Jonathan Wesley Finch, Roger’s sister Phyllis Byrd Stibler and many cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Wayne Mapps Finch and her loving “Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Sam” Waruch.
The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 7 pm on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Stauffer Funeral Homes, 8 East Ridgeville in Mt. Airy, MD.
A celebration of Mary's life journey will take place at 11 am on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Tim May officiating. Interment will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Mt. Airy. All are welcome.
Expressions of sympathy may also be offered to the family at www.StaufferFuneralHome.com.
If desired, memorial contributions may be made to The Fisher House “Helping Military Families” at www.fisherhouse.org or the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, founded by Danny Thomas, at
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Elaine Byrd, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, May 17, 2024
4:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Stauffer Funeral Home-Mt. Airy
Funeral Service
Saturday, May 18, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Stauffer Funeral Home-Mt. Airy
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