In Memoriam

Mary F.Vandergrift Boarman
Class of '69

Mary Frances Vandergrift Boarman, 61, a longtime Democratic Party activist and a businesswoman who did real estate title work, died April 29, 2008, at her home in Severna Park, MD of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. A member of the SJC Class of 1969, she also attended the University of North Carolina, and earned a degree in sociology from the University of Maryland.

Born in Washington, Mary spent most of her life in Prince George's County before moving to Severna Park 20 years ago. Her father was an attorney, and her mother was a teacher and a principal.

Mary actively campaigned for many progressive Democrats over the years and attended five Democratic national conventions, according to her husband, Bill Boarman. "She did the raw, hard work like phone banks, poll-watching, knocking on doors and sending out fliers and mailers. She loved politics," her husband said. "She cared about issues like health care, and that's why she was involved with progressive candidates."

Mary was engaged in commercial and residential real estate work for several years, then title work. Most recently, she was in charge of the Annapolis office of Crofton-based Beltway Title. She enjoyed boating on Chesapeake Bay, gardening, and was an avid reader. Her vibrant personality won her a wide circle of friends, according to those who knew her well.

Mary charmed even those who disagreed with her political views, which were evident in the wall full of pictures showing her posing with President Clinton and other prominent Democrats. "A lot of her clients were conservative," her husband said. "She was able to transcend all of that. She had a spirit that made people feel good inside. She cared about people."

Although in and out of the hospital as she battled cancer during the last months before her death, "she never gave up," Bill said. "She kept fighting and fighting."

Besides her husband of 31 years, a son, Christopher Roebuck of San Francisco; and a daughter, Lauren Boarman of Gambrills, MD, survive Mary.

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