Mary Bosco Clissold

She was born April 7, 1947, in Chicago, IL to the late Rocco and Marie Bosco. She graduated 2nd in her class from Kelvyn Park High School in 1965. Mary learned the values of hard work and determination early in life, saving every penny to go to nursing school, graduating in the top five of her class from Chicago Wesley Memorial Hospital Nursing School in 1968. In 1969 she married Malcolm Clissold, eventually settling in Nashville, TN.

Mary worked at Vanderbilt University for 20 years. While working full time, she raised four children and earned a Bachelor of Science from Trevecca Nazarene University.

Mary was a member of Johnson’s Chapel United Methodist Church, often saying how she loved the warmth of the fellowship. She proudly served as the Chair of the Finance Committee for years.

She was a Master Gardener, with a life-long passion for gardening. Every spring, her hands were already in the soil before anyone else thought about it.

Mary was charter member number 13 of Dynasty Amenna No. 164 Daughters of the Nile. She served as the first Princess Zulieka for several years, went on to serve as Princess Banker for five years, and then served as Princess Zora. She was honored to be a part of the sisterhood and the Daughters of the Nile’s mission.

Mary was honest, intelligent, strong, and funny. She could always be depended upon, a strong presence, hard at work and happy to help - usually with a sarcastic comment and a warm laugh.

She is survived by her children Catherine (Bill) Markovitz, Edward (Rebecca) Clissold, and Margaret Clissold; her 8 grandchildren Jana, Ethan, William, Samuel, Ella, Daniel, Caroline, and Zachary; her sisters, Rosalie Bork and Carol Bux; and her brother James Bosco. She was preceded by her mother, father, and daughter, Mary Grigg.

Memorial contributions in Mary’s honor may be made to the Daughters of the Nile Foundation, www.donfdn.org.

Visitation will be held at Brentwood Roesch Patton Funeral Home, 9010 Church Street East, Brentwood, TN 37027, US, on October 24, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at the same location on October 24, 2026, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm.