Mary B. Lefler

Our beloved mother, Mary Barbara (Bobbie), passed away on February 25, 2021 in Ithaca, New York at 97 years of age. Mary Barbara Lefler was born on August 18, 1923 in Alexandria, Virginia to James Ray and Mary Barbara (Ewald) Andrews. She was raised with her three brothers, James, John and Leo in Alexandria until the family relocated to Dallas, Texas in 1940.

She lived during a period of time that ranged from economic acceleration to the great depression, amid upheavals both politically and socially.  Her experiences during this time strengthened her Catholicism and belief in the basic principles of America. She was on her father’s shoulders at Franklin D. Roosevelt’s inauguration, when he spoke of “nothing to fear but fear itself.” She proudly and bravely stood up to the Daughters of the America Revolution by turning down the right to membership because of the organization’s then blatant racism.

Mary Barbara met Lt. Marsh Lefler during the time he attended Navigation and Bombardier School at San Marcos Army Air Force base in Texas.  They met at a USO dance where Dad chose to be her escort for the evening and became her escort for the rest of their lives.  They were married at the base on August 12, 1944. Mom anxiously survived their separation until his return after the war. They settled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where they soon contributed to the post-war baby boom and continued their postwar contribution until 1959.

Mom was an artist, a seamstress, a quilter, a woman of many talents. She sang with the church choir, and donated hours of her time on church committees and charities. She loved to garden, especially her beloved roses. Her home in Rolla, Missouri would be called the “Rose Cottage”.

She was a stay-at-home mom until most of her children were grown and gone. Her first “post stay-at-home mom” job was with the post office in Watersmeet, Michigan and later she worked for the University of Missouri-Rolla until her retirement. Unfortunately, before mom and dad were able to retire together, our father died unexpectedly on Nov. 24, 1984. Eventually Mom moved to Ithaca to be closer to family. Ithaca became her home base from which she traveled extensively to visit her family who resides from coast to coast.

Mary Barbara was proceeded in death by her husband (Marsh Edwin Lefler), parents (James Ray and Mary Barbara Andrews) and her brothers (John, James and Leo Andrews). She was the Matriarch of our Lefler family and the Andrews family.  For our family, she was the last of the “greatest generation.” She is survived by her daughter, Marsha Cox and spouse Philip Cox of Ithaca, NY and their children Christopher Cox, John Cox and Erin Buchanan; her daughter, Catherine and spouse Dr. Peter  Brockman of Watersmeet, MI and their children Peter “Brock” Brockman and Kate Berglund; son, Michael Lefler and spouse Rita Lefler of Sandpoint, ID and their children Marsh Ray Lefler, Kelley Bushong , Steven, Brian and Matthew Smith; son, Stephen Lefler and spouse Pat Lefler of Yorba Linda, CA and their children Connor, Patrick, Sean and Timothy Lefler; son, David Lefler of Raleigh, NC;  son, Gregory Lefler of Sandpoint, ID and his children Joseph Lefler and Whitney Tanigawa; as well as numerous great grandchildren (27 to date), nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family is especially grateful to the staff at Bridges Cornell Heights and to Dr. Lucia Jander for the loving and extraordinary care they provided to Mom during the final stage of her life.

We will miss our mother and a great void has descended into our lives. Due to the pandemic, there will be no funeral services. Mom will be buried at the family plot in Watersmeet, MI., at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Catholic Charities or to Bridges Cornell Heights, 407 Wyckoff Ave. Ithaca, NY 14850.