Charlestown, Indiana - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Mary Clara Frederick passed away surrounded by love, family, and prayers on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Mary was born to Joseph and Mary Frederick on February 2, 1936, in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She was the fourth of ten children.

From the beginning, Mary had a heart for service to others. Growing up, she was always busy supporting her family whether cooking, cleaning, or babysitting one of her many younger siblings. Mary found joy in helping her parents and siblings and smiled constantly, especially when she was teasing her siblings with a joke or prank. In those years, she was close to all her siblings, but especially Joe and Ed, who were her bookends in age. She looked up to her older sisters, Ann and Frankie, and had a soft spot for the "little boys," Larry, Billy, and Sam, and the babies of the family, Therese and John.

Mary graduated from Presentation Academy in 1954. She loved singing, all types of music from church hymns to rock and roll standards from the 1940s and 1950s, and was known to really cut a rug. Mary was confident in her own skin, and even with that many kids around, was never jealous or insecure.

Mary's faith was the fundamental organizing principle of her life from which all her decisions flowed. Her courage in her convictions gave her the confidence to strike out on her own path and after high school, she left for St. Catherine's Seminary in Springfield, Kentucky. She spent several years studying theology and served in the convent for nine years in many different states including Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Nebraska, and West Virginia.

Mary returned home in 1966 and helped her family shoulder a heartrending blow just a few short weeks later when her younger brother Billy unexpectedly died. She continued to support her parents and siblings all while serving the broader community with her career in teaching and religious education after graduating from Siena College. As a teacher, Mary prioritized reading because she believed that learning how to read was the gateway to learning everything else. When she was around young people, Mary was still that playful person with joy in her heart. She delighted in engaging her students in a favorite activity—basketball—which at her towering height of 4'11'' was quite a feat.

To the very end, Mary was devoted to her faith and family. Her rosary and devotionals were a constant in her life; her walls decorated with pictures of "Mother and Daddy," her treasured siblings, and her beloved cousin Nancy. Mary was also adored by her 25 nieces and nephews, for whom she was proud to say that she had babysat every single one. Mary is survived by 23 of these nieces and nephews, siblings Therese R. Wheatley (Gary) and John J. Frederick (Mary Ellen), and sister-in-law Judith C. Frederick.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. at Coots' Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at St. John Paul II at 9 a.m. with mass to follow at 11 a.m. and then burial at St. Anthony's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jeffersonville Community Kitchen (1611 Spring St. Jeffersonville, IN, 47130).