Mary Frances (Rairigh) Davenport |
| Posted 2009-05-28 by Fountain Hills Times |
| Mary Frances Rairigh Davenport On May 19, 2009 God called his loving servant, Mary Frances Rairigh Davenport, home to heaven. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marilyn Ann (1949), her husband Richard M. Rairigh (1984), her husband John D. Davenport (2000) and her adopted son Anthony Hood (2007). Surviving her are her children: Tammie Rothermel (Jerry), David Rairigh (Kathie), Donald Rairigh (Laura), Richard A. Rairigh (Bobbie) and Janet Blum (Joseph). She was proud of her 19 grandchildren and 13 great- grandchildren. She was born in Toledo, Ohio on June 20, 1921 to Mayme and John Modrowski. Her life in the Polish neighborhood and 12 years of Catholic schooling forged her inner strength and tenacity. Following her course of study at a noted business school, Mary entered the work force as an executive secretary. Eventually she met the love of her life, Richard Rairigh, an advertising executive at GM. They married and moved to the suburbs of Detroit, Mich. where they raised their children. Involved in the community of Farmington Hills, Mary worked with handicapped teenagers in the New Horizon program. Joining the local Republican club, she rose through the ranks until she represented her district at the conventions. But Mary really found her “home” when Richard retired and on Aug. 12, 1974 they moved to Fountain Hills. Falling in love with the fledgling community of 800, they threw themselves into life there. Mary helped found the Fountain Hills Civic Association, the Fountain Hills Republican Club, the Fountain Hills Women’s Club, the Church of the Ascension Rosary Society, the River of Time Museum, Fountain Hills Historical Association – many of those organizations she served multiple years on their boards. Mary provided vital resource gathering and was instrumental in merging the Fountain Hills Community Association and Fountain Hills Civic Association into one organization that could hold property until a town entity could be formed. She was on the organizing committee that spear-headed the town’s incorporation effort and helped that committee organize into a town government after Fountain Hills won its incorporation election. Mary headed up the personnel committee for the original Community Center, supervising paid staff and overseeing the center’s rental. Mary has always been the town’s number one cheerleader, supporter and volunteer. In the beginning Fountain Hills ran on committees. She volunteered tirelessly from standing out in the searing one-teen’s heat selling sodas during the Bi-Centennial in 1976, to selling hot coffee from the Kiwanis booth on the frigid mornings before the Fountain Festival. Mary worked the polls, rang countless phones, sold tickets, participated in the audience, organized candidate debates for the local elections, researched material for town government, secured political contacts, knocked on doors, spent a life-time in committee meetings, walked the Avenue as a “purple people” and was hostess for Women’s Club Christmas Walks. Every board of directors knew they could count on Mary. Over the course of her tenure with the various organizations Mary won numerous accolades and awards. Most recently in 2008, she was inducted into the River of Time Museum’s Hall of Fame. A woman of faith, she actively participated in the growth and development of the Church of the Ascension from its earliest days in a trailer at the park to its current facilities. From serving on the Church Council to greeting at the door Mary was there. She boasted that you couldn’t get in the doors at 10 a.m. Mass without shaking her hand. A celebration of Mary’s life is planned for Thursday, May 28, at Messinger Mortuary, 12065 Saguaro Blvd, Fountain Hills, from 4-8 p.m. with a Scripture Service and Time of Remembrance starting at 6:30p.m. Her funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Ascension, 12615 Fountain Hills Blvd, Fountain Hills, at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 29 with a reception following. Please join us in our celebration of this outstanding woman. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The L. Alan Cruikshank River of Time Museum, P.O. Box 17445, Fountain Hills, AZ 85269. “See you later alligator. After while crocodile!” Fountain Hills Times 5/27/2009. |
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