Mary Rock Booher

March 5, 1938 -- September 3, 2021

Mary Booher, loving wife and mother, died peacefully on September 3. She is survived by her devoted husband and life partner James Alexander Booher, Jr., her children Blythe Booher Boquist (Rick), Bridget Hays Booher, and Adam Joshua Booher (Lisa). She is also survived by her "glorious grandgirls" Ella Rock Jones, Samantha Rose Booher, and Alexandra Skye Booher. Family was the most important thing to Mary, and she delighted in having everyone under one roof, crowded around the dinner table sharing laughter and food.

Mary was born in Orlando, Florida, to Lucille Hays Rock and Charles Francis Rock Jr., and the family moved to Jacksonville when Mary was young. An elegant writer with an innate poetic sensibility, she wrote a column for the Jacksonville Journal as a high school student, including a backstage interview with Elvis Presley. During high school she met her future husband Jim when he asked for her assistance writing his senior class Last Will & Testament. She attended Sullins College and then the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, excelling in Radio Television and Motion Picture courses.

Mary loved to travel and to share her great enthusiasm for the beauty she found in every journey. She fearlessly rode in helicopters over Manhattan island and Maui waterfalls, snorkeled the Molokini crater, found wonder in ocean voyages, Provençal villages, and her beloved Venice. Primary among these pleasures was her wish to share with friends the secret location of the perfect, romantic cafe, and the most magical sunrise spot.

Mary's letters and birthday cards, her words of congratulations or condolence, were always grounded in her inherent compassion, empathy and generosity of spirit. She had a wonderful ability to put people at ease, asking with genuine curiosity about their lives. Her warmth and humor brought comfort and light to all who knew her. An avid reader, Mary was a lively contributor to book clubs for decades, relishing the opportunity to engage in spirited conversation with friends.

Mary was a founding member of the South Florida chapter of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, twice serving as Chair. With her gracious perseverance, she personally persuaded FP&L, WPTV and many others to sign on as corporate sponsors, and her timeless essay about the morning of the Race captured the excitement and energy of an event to which she tirelessly devoted more than two decades of service. In recognition of her many contributions, the Mary Booher Volunteer Award was created.

Mary's faith was an enduring source of strength and comfort for her. For more than fifty years, Mary and Jim were active members of St. Mark's Church and served as Eucharist ministers. The family is deeply grateful to Father Kerry Robb and Father Jim Cook for their steadfast sustenance, blessings and prayers throughout Mary's life and in her passing.

The family would also like to thank the members of Mary's health team who cared for her, including primary physician and friend for fifty years Neil Ozer, Richard Price, Jack Waterman and Nat Drourr.

Mary's family celebrated her life in a private ceremony. Gifts in Mary's honor may be made to St. Mark's Church, 3395 Burns Rd., Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410.