Our dear mother Mary Helen Folger Barrett passed away on November 12th, 2023.

Mary was born May 18th, 1925 in Palo Alto, California. She was born to Roy S. Folger, a businessman, and cherished member of the Bohemian Club, and Grace (Haley), an accomplished pianist. They set the stage for what became an idyllic childhood. Mary recalled how "there was always music playing in the house", and how her father, highly theatrical, and "always on stage", brought an ambience to their home keeping it perpetually alive with fun. Throughout her life, Mary was graced with a wonderful cast of characters from her days in "Paly", Hillsborough, and later in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. From President Hoover, to the regarded "father of applied mechanics" Professor Timoshenko, opera singers, actors, musicians, artists, clergy as well as international visitors from different countries made up her world.

She began her school years at Mother Foley's school, then attended Notre Dame High School and Notre Dame de Namur University ( it was then Notre Dame College) in Belmont, CA. Mary then transferred and graduated from Dominican University (it was then Dominican College), in San Rafael, CA., where she majored in art and minored in education.

After graduating in 1947, Mary embarked on an 8 year teaching career which included 1 year teaching children at the American Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany after WW2.

Mary married her adored husband Lawrence Barrett Jr. in 1956, a marriage that lasted 55 wonderful years. She met Larry through Pat Barrett Clark, Larry's sister. This introduction was made in front of St. Ann's Chapel in Palo Alto. This meeting was something Mary would love to recount many times. Mary and Larry first lived in Sausalito as newlyweds, eventually settling down in Hillsborough, CA where they raised their 5 children.

Mary absolutely adored and treasured every single one of her friends and family. She was a very successful "connector" and matchmaker. She loved writing new lyrics to show tunes when celebrating friends and family at parties, arming all guests with a copy so they could all sing along.

Helping others was a core value to Mary and her passion. Mary loved visiting "shut ins", either by herself or with her "Legion of Mary" group, and on Saturdays would invite mobility-impaired community members out for a day of fun activities. Mary spent many years "china painting" and became friends with the couple teaching the class in their home and her fellow students. In true Mary fashion, she would give away most of her "china painted" pieces as gifts.

Mary loved to share her love of God with others, a testament to her deep Catholic faith. She lived her faith. She loved saying the rosary, always encouraging others to do the same. She would often say that "saying the rosary is where it's at". Mary traveled extensively in her lifetime, however she most loved being at home or at Rio Del Mar beach in Santa Cruz County. "Rio" as she called it, was her family's favorite beach from the 1920's. We all can remember Mary rushing into the breakers at the beach with her family. "Rio" was a slice of heaven for her, and with family and friends being there with her, her joy multiplied. "Rio" is where she celebrated her 75th birthday in festive Hawaiian- themed fashion.

Mary loved hosting dinner parties, throwing her own twist on different recipes. Mary was an extrovert and loved people so much! The earliest account of this is by her lifelong family friend Louise who being a bit older than Mary, remembers Mary being 3 years old and "lost"! She was not lost but had been saying hello to all neighbors, house by house.

Regardless of who it was, our mother truly embodied "heavenly hospitality". Within moments of someone at our door, Mary would want to take care of you. Mary loved bright colors, bright lipstick, jokes, fun, cooking, sitting in the sun, celebrating birthdays, "La Boheme" and "Madame Butterfly" operas, the symphony, Hawaiian music, the hula, Angela Lansbury in "Mame", Charlie Chaplin, Carol Channing, Irish comedian Hal Roach, and "I love Lucy".

Mary was a proud 3rd generation Californian. A member of the "Society of California Pioneers", Mary could often be heard unexpectedly singing out the "poppies golden poppies" song about the state flower, or the state song, "I love you, California". Mom was a GIANT in our lives. She was 100% authentic and lived life with passion and zest. She
truly was a reflection of God's love here on earth. All who knew her, felt that love. We all loved her so very much!

Predeceased by Mary, are her parents Grace and Roy Folger, husband Larry Barrett Jr., brother Roy "Bud" Folger, sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Erlin and Grace Haid, son-in-law Robert (Bob) Ferrando, several nephews, sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law, as well as many, many, many friends.

Her loving children are Larry Barrett III (Tina), Grace Ferrando, Bradford Barrett (Alexandra), Mary Barrett-Rodriguez (Felipe), and Patty Barrett-Mugge (David Brian). Her beloved grandchildren are Mary and Alex Ferrando, Christina, Patrick and Matthew Barrett, David Lawrence and Kate Barrett-Mugge, Claire and Felipe S. Rodriguez.

Our family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Mary's caregivers throughout the years - Denise, Doris, Linda, Michele, Carole and Flo. In Mary's final days, the exemplary support from Bristol Hospice was invaluable.

Thank you to JanYce who spent time reading to Mary, bringing treats, love, friendship and spiritual nourishment. An extra special thank you to Tina Larson for all your love and support for Mary, especially in her last months and days. Finally, thank you to Larry, Mary's eldest son for the sacrifices he made in caring for our Mother with love, faith, patience, tenacity and compassion.

Mary requested that donations be made to St. Anthony's Dining Room: giving@stanthonysf.org and/or EWTN.com (Eternal Word Television Network).

Mary, together with her husband Lawrence Barrett Jr., were former members of the "Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem". Contributions can be made to this organization through: contact@eohsjwesternusa.org .