Marie E. Parker (Leonard)

May 28, 1931 — August 27, 2021

Longtime Bennington resident Marie Elizabeth Parker, passed away peacefully on August 27,
2021, in Austin, Texas, following a short illness. Marie, who was adored by her family, is
survived by her seven children, Gerard Parker (California), David Parker (California), Kathy
Parker (Massachusetts), Edward Parker (Minnesota), Susan (Parker) Mason (Connecticut), Diane
(Parker) Veer (New Hampshire) and Mark Parker (Texas), as well as numerous grandchildren
and great-grandchildren who loved and were loved in return by their "Grandma Marie."
Born Marie Elizabeth Leonard in Boston, Massachusetts on May 28, 1931, Marie was raised in
the Jamaica Plain area of Boston by her father Mark Leonard, a decorated member of the Boston
Police Department and her mother Anna (Barter) Leonard, a homemaker, both loving parents to
Marie and her older brother Edward Leonard. Marie's father, Mark, died suddenly of natural
causes when Marie was in high school. Sadly, Marie's brother, Edward, a promising artist, was
killed in combat during the Korean War. Following graduation from Jamaica Plain High School,
Marie took a job as a teller at the Shawmut National Bank in Boston, where she met her future
husband, Frederick Atwood Parker, then an assistant manager at the bank. Marie and Fred
quickly bonded over their mutual devout Roman Catholic faith (and mutual attraction) and
following a courtship under the ever watchful eye of her mother Anna, Marie was married to
Fred in 1953. In 1954, Marie gave birth to the first of her seven children with the youngest born
ten years later. In 1968, the nine member "Parker Family" relocated to Bennington, Vermont,
where Fred took over management of the then Vermont National Bank on Main Street. Marie
and Fred became active members of the Sacred Heart Church and instituted the ironclad family
rule for their children that, "If you live in this house, you are expected in Church on Sunday
morning." In later years, Marie's mother, Anna, came to live with the family in Bennington.
Anna then lived at the Bennington Convalescent Center where she died after a short illness.
As the children grew and left home, Marie took part-time work at the Bennington Chamber of
Commerce and was later employed full-time as an assistant librarian at Bennington College,
where she remained employed after the death of her husband Fred in 1992. Marie and Fred's
deep love for and devotion to each other is an enduring and cherished memory for each of their
children. For the next few years, Marie took great comfort in her faith, her work, her friends and
her family. During this time, Marie particularly enjoyed having two of her loving granddaughters,
Maria Mason and Ally (Mason) Bombard, live next door with their Mom Susan.
Growing up, Maria and Ally were as likely to be found at "Grandma's house" on any given day
as their own home across the driveway.
At a high school reunion in the late 90's, Marie became reacquainted with high school friend
Victor Mayer (USAF, Major, Ret.), who had moved to Austin, Texas and raised three (3) sons
with his wife, who had passed away a few years earlier. Marie and "Mr. Vic" began a long
distance friendship/courtship that blossomed into marriage in 2001. Their wedding was held at
the St. Francis/Sacred Heart Church in Bennington, and for the next several years, Marie and Vic
split their time between Austin, Texas (in the winter) and Bennington, Vermont (during the
summer). Marie and Vic greatly enjoyed their annual cross-country drives between the two
homes, until settling full-time in Austin. Vic converted from his Protestant faith to the Roman
Catholic Church while married to Marie, and they were both active members of St. Ignatius
Martyr Catholic Church in Austin. One of the highlights of the week for Marie and Vic was their
after church Sunday Brunches with close and dear friends. Another highlight for Marie and Vic
was their nightly, epic, Scrabble games for which they were suitably matched. In 2017, Vic
passed peacefully at the hospital in Austin, Texas, with Marie at his side, and he was laid to rest
in San Antonio, Texas.
Following Vic's death, Marie relocated to The Continental Retirement Community in Austin,
Texas, where she comfortably resided in a third floor, corner apartment with a large deck, where
she could enjoy the beautiful surroundings and mesmerizing Texas sunsets. When Marie began
to develop health complications, she was joined by her daughter, Diane, who selflessly stayed
with her Mom at The Continental for a number of months, showing her nothing but love and
compassion. Diane was supported during that time by brother Mark and his longtime partner,
Barbara Smith, who live in Austin, Texas, close to The Continental. Marie relocated to the
Sodalis Senior Living Home in Buda, Texas, in September 2020, where she lived until her death
on August 27, 2021.
Marie lived a life of devotion to her family and to her faith in a loving and merciful God. While
her family grieves their loss, there is great comfort in the knowledge that Marie has gone to the
home God has prepared for her in heaven, where she will be waiting for her family with open
arms and a loving embrace.
Marie will be laid to rest at the Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington, Vermont following a Roman
Catholic burial service to be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, September 17, 2021. Family and
friends are invited to attend the outdoor burial service and it is respectfully requested that any
unvaccinated participants please wear a mask. In light of the ongoing COVID pandemic, the
family has opted not to hold a formal indoor funeral mass or reception at this time. Instead, it is
the family's intention to hold host a Celebration of Life reception for Marie next Spring in
Bennington for family and friends, along with a formal mass offered in her name at that time.
The family also intends to have a mass offered in Marie's name next Spring at St. Ignatius
Martyr Catholic Church in Austin, Texas, to be followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, the
family requests that any donations be made to Catholic Charities in Marie's name

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Graveside Service

Friday, September 17, 2021

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

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Park Lawn Cemetery

South Street, Bennington, VT 05201

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