Mary McDaniels Birle

Mary McDaniels Birle, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, died at home on October 21 in Village of Golf, Florida of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She was 77.

A native of San Francisco, Mary attended Convent of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco as a young child and, after moving to Atherton, California, Convent of the Sacred Heart in Menlo Park. Mary graduated from The University of California, Berkeley, in 1960, where she was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. During her college years, she lived in Paris and studied at the Sorbonne.

Mary married her husband, Jim, in Atherton in 1961. After marrying, she and Jim lived in Los Gatos, California with their four children. A devoted and loving mother and wife for more than 53 years, Mary found endless energy in the service of others. She was an active community volunteer and a member of the Junior League of San Jose and the Summit League in Los Gatos. In the early 70s, Mary was recognized by the City of San Jose as Young Woman of the year.

In 1977, Mary and her family moved to Greenwich, Connecticut where, with the exception of two wonderful years in Louisville, Kentucky, they lived for more than 30 years. Mary was a member of The Green Fingers Garden Club, The Field Club of Greenwich and The Round Hill Club. She was a longtime board member of the Family Center of Greenwich, and a founding board member of the Cure for Lymphoma Foundation in New York. Mary enjoyed summers at their home in Charlestown, Rhode Island, where she loved to bird watch. She was committed to the preservation of Rhode Island’s tidal ponds and wetlands and was a generous supporter of The Nature Conservancy. Since 2004, Mary resided in Village of Golf, Florida with her husband, Jim. In 2013, Mary and Jim made Belvedere, California their second home.

Insatiably curious, there was virtually no subject beyond her knowing command. She read voraciously and participated in book clubs throughout her life. Mary had a lifelong passion for the history and culture of Native Americans. She enjoyed a good laugh and would find humor in the most challenging of circumstances. She loved to cook, garden, travel, and play tennis and golf. Most of all, she loved Labrador Retrievers, which she bred and showed for many years. In later years, Mary’s great love of music led to her support of the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.

Mary inspired all in her presence with an indomitable inner strength, wisdom, dignity, and humility. Her countless acts of generosity, large and small, were always done modestly and quietly. She was much loved and leaves many dear friends, each of whom she cherished.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jim; her sons Jim Birle, Jr. (Judy) of Summit, New Jersey, and John Birle (Sue) of Laguna Niguel, California; daughters Anne Veh (George) of Mill Valley, California, and Lexie Clifford (Scott) of Kentfield, California; grandchildren Katie, Melissa, Jimmy, Emily, Peter, Christopher, Matthew, Claire, Megan, Jack and Alex; and her brother, Fr. John Lea McDaniels of Melbourne, Australia.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10935 South Military Trail, Boynton Beach, FL 33436 on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 11:AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Mary’s memory can be made to:

Cipotes Honduras Mission, c/o Hope for a Healthier Humanity, PO Box 90547, Staten Island, NY 10309 www.hopeforahealthierhumanity.org or Hospice of Palm Beach County/Trustbridge, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL., 33407 www.hpbc.com .