Mary Shaffrey Termini

Mary moved with her parents and older brother John from Ogdensburg to Corner Brook, Newfoundland -- which was then not formally a part of Canada -- in 1929 when the only work her father Leon could find was in a paper mill in the rural community.

She attended college in Canada, and later nursing school in Plattsburgh, N.Y. After receiving her R.N., she moved to Miami and worked several years at St. Francis Hospital, before returning to New York.

On Aug. 31, 1968, Mary married her long-time beau, Phil Termini, at St. John's of the Wilderness Catholic Church in Lake Clear, N.Y. Phil was a salesman for Sexton Foods and had courted Mary for years. Three years later he was transferred from Malone, N.Y., to Charlotte. Mary often joked when they first relocated she felt like they were the only "Cat-lics" in town. At the time, Charlotte was very much a small southern city with a population of roughly 240,000, and was still a part of the Diocese of Raleigh. Today it is home to its own diocese, and has a total population of 859,000.

Being one of the few Catholics in town didn't deter Mary from making friends. And over the next 47 years she grew to love Charlotte and its community. She was an avid golfer and traveler. Her favorite place on earth remained her native Adirondacks, and Lake Clear in particular. She returned most summers until Phil got sick more than 30 years later, and would often visit friends who remained in the "North Country" as she called it. On her last visit in 2016 she went to Ogdensburg and visited the cemetery where here parents, as well as many other members of her extended family are buried.

Phil passed away in 2009 after a long battle with dementia. Throughout most of his illness, Mary was his primary care giver. She cared for so many other people as well, often bringing goodies over or giving drives to those in need. Her favorite line of questioning always involved asking how someone else was doing, never wanting to focus on her own well-being.

She loved a good conversation, particularly those involving religion and politics. While she was never shy to give her own opinion, she loved hearing what others had to say.

Mary's older brother John Shaffrey passed away in 2010. She is survived by four nephews; a niece; six great-nieces; two great-nephews; and three great-great nephews.

A Remembrance Mass will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, at 11 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210, with a reception to immediately follow.

Mary will be privately buried with her parents and alongside Phil in Ogdensburg, N.Y., at a later time.