Obituary of Mary Frances Senecal

Mary Frances Senecal passed away peacefully on September 19, 2019. She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Donald E. Senecal, her children Michele (Eric), Warren (Susie), Denise, Nora, and David; grandchildren Carlos, Joseph (Nina), Maria, Michael, Celia, Erika, Mara, Reese, Grace and Tyler; her sister Anne Dziuba (Edward) and sisters-in-law Dorothy and Marianne; and five great grandchildren. She leaves behind cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers James and Kenneth.

     Born in Wyandotte, Michigan, she was a competitive athlete who played for her high school basketball team. She was awarded a nursing scholarship and attended Mercy College of Detroit where she graduated with a B.S. in Nursing. While there, she forged deep and enduring bonds with her classmates which continued until the final weeks of her life. Mary was dedicated her work as a Registered Nurse, beginning her career as a Visiting Nurse in Detroit. As her children matured, she returned to nursing, working primarily with older patients in skilled nursing care. Her colleagues remember her as a compassionate, hardworking professional with high standards, and who was also a supportive friend.

     With her husband Don, she enjoyed music, opera, movies, gardening and travel. Together, they shared a commitment to charitable work with the Webster chapter of the Knights of Columbus. As a volunteer, Mary served in many roles with the Women’s Auxiliary where she developed lasting friendships. When her daughter’s Girl Scout troop lost their leadership, she took training courses in swimming, camping and canoeing, and shared a leadership role with two other mothers. Whenever she was in a position to mentor young women, she encouraged them to advance their education, assert their independence, and take responsibility for their financial affairs.

     She created a family life that embraced varied interests from antiques to fine art, music and sports. Children were ferried to dance and piano lessons, recitals and musical theatre rehearsals, baseball and soccer. Family vacations always included purposeful educational visits to a destination’s historical landmarks, science museums, and art galleries. She loved to bake, made perfect pie crusts and was fond of an old fashioned or simple bourbon on the rocks.

     She was proud of her Irish heritage and her tradition of St. Patrick’s Day dinners with green mashed potatoes, corned beef and cabbage, and homemade Irish soda bread. Her treasured childhood memories of her Irish grandmother inspired her eventual trip to Ireland with her sister Anne. Her connection with her siblings and their families served as a powerful example of the strength and importance of family bonds. She and Don shared vacations with Ken and Dorothy, family celebrations on the lake with Anne and Ed, as well as visits with Jim at his rural retreat in northern Michigan.

     A devoted mother, she made all her children feel uniquely cherished. In retirement, Mary continued her focus on volunteer work and family. She was always quick to offer help when her grandchildren were born and other busy times in her children's lives. Mary and Don frequently traveled to watch their grandchildren play sports and perform in plays, concerts and recitals.  They made time for them to visit during the summer and enjoy one-on-one time and activities. She enjoyed planning family holidays and dinners.  She was always ready to play games with her grandchildren, who will remember her humor and playful competitive streak.  When healthy, she enjoyed traveling to celebrate family events with nieces and nephews and their children. 

     She had a good sense of humor, offering advice and commentary to all.  Her supportive notes, cards, and letters were appreciated by many.   

     The Senecal Family expresses its heartfelt thanks to the care team and caregivers at St. Ann’s Care Center at St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge and UR Visiting Nurse Hospice who so thoughtfully cared for Mary and her family during this chapter.  Thanks also to the friends and family who kept in touch and visited, including Father Peter at St. Ann’s and Father Paul at St. Paul’s Church in Webster.

     Friends may call 2-5 PM Sunday, Sept. 29^th at Willard H. Scott Funeral Home, 12 South Ave. Webster.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 AM Monday, Sept. 30^th at St. Paul’s Church, 783 Hard Rd. Webster.  Interment at Webster Union Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, in accordance with Mary’s wishes, donations may be sent to Maryknoll Sisters (www.maryknollsisters.org), whose mission to serve the poor, the ailing and the marginalized all over the world, she generously supported throughout her life.