Mary Rosalie DeForest

Mary DeForest of Phenix, Virginia, returned to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 26, 2015. Mary DeForest was raised in a Catholic Orphanage in New Jersey. She spent her life as a live-in caregiver for children. She started caring for the Donald Baker Family where she was thier caregiver for approximately 2 years. Then around the Christmas of 1960 she came to live with James and Elsie Murdock who presently had 6 children ages 10 months to 7 years old and one more on the way. They were Clifford age 8, Sandy age 6, Debbie age 5, Martha age 4, James Jr. Age 2, Raymond 8 months and 4 months later Sarah Kathleen was born. Mary cared for all 7 kids, a large dog named Duke, multiple other pets such as rabbits, hamsters & guinea pigs and kept house for James and Elsie Murdock. She was tiny but mighty she could take a sling shot away from a boy and help them all with their homework. Mary cared for Martha who was an invalid and Raymond who was in a full body cast due to being dropped by a previous babysitter. While Mary was with the Murdock family she became an integral part of the family continuing her interaction long after she left.
Mary left the Murdock Family in 1972 and went to work for the Bluestones who had three children and also a boarding kennel. Mary was asked by customers to go out and tell their pets good night and give them their love and Mary would do it. Mary remained with the Bluestone Family for over 40 years. She ended up becoming a caregiver for one of the children; Candace Mullins and helping raise her family of two daughters, Danielle and Lindsey. It was with this family is where she remained for the remainder of her life.
Mary was always a giving and caring person and never forgot any of the children she looked after over all the years. She always kept herself a part of all the families that she touched. When Mary made a friend that person stayed her friend, Mary was very loyal and loving. She had a love for animals too. Mary was the type of person who always would put others before herself, even during these past few months she was more concerned about others. Mary had several passions but she did love Bingo and even in her later years she could mark a card better than most people. She had many loves in life including but not limited to John Wayne, Washington Redskins, New York Yankees, and Old Country Music. We can’t forget NASCAR it was her second love; it was all about Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mary was also a devout Catholic.
She is survived by daughter, Candace, granddaughters Lindsey, Danielle and family, along with Clifford, Debbie, James, Raymond, and Sarah from the Murdock Family as well as many other family and friends who cared for her and loved her greatly.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 1 PM at Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville Virginia. A social gathering is planned following the service at Sheldon’s Motel & Restaurant. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions to help defray the cost of final services. Those contributions can be sent to Candace Mullins 10025 Patrick Henry Highway Phenix VA 23959.
The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA is in charge of the arrangements.