OBITUARY: Mary F. Boarman

Mary F. Boarman, wife of Sector President Bill Boarman, died on April 29, 2008 after a seven-year struggle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Mrs. Boarman was a successful businesswoman and a long-time Democratic activist.

Born in Washington, D.C., she  attended the University of North Carolina in Wilmington and St. Joseph College for girls in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Maryland.

After working extensively in commercial and residential real estate, Mrs. Boarman became a title-settlement officer.

Mrs. Boarman was always introduced by Bill as, “my wife, and best friend.”

CWA President Larry Cohen eulogized Mrs. Boarman, as “an inspiration not only to family and friends, but also to her doctors and caregivers.” He paid tribute to her “fighting spirit,” noting: “Seven years ago she was told that she could expect to live for two years, but she never accepted the finality of those words and until a few months ago enjoyed life with Bill and her family and friends. Mary was a constant source of support for Bill through good days and tough ones, a model of a life partner. Bill never gave up hope and was always there fighting along with her.”

Over the years, Mrs. Boarman was active in political campaigns for progressive Democratic candidates. One of her earliest forays into politics was with the first congressional campaign of Steny Hoyer in Maryland. Hoyer is now the House Democratic Majority Leader and Mrs. Boarman was at the top of his list of honored guests at the swearing-in ceremony. She also worked on behalf of Maryland State Senate President Mike Miller, and former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendenning.

One of Mrs. Boarman’s favorite memories of political life occurred when she was escorting President Bill Clinton into a union fund-raising event in Washington. As she led him into the event, President Clinton apologized profusely for being late. He had been tied up on the telephone negotiating terms of peace in Bosnia.

Survivors include Bill, her husband of 32 years, as well as her son Chris and daughter Lauren.