Mary Katherine Cloutier, 69, passed away quietly on November 7th in Canandaigua NY after a long illness. She is predeceased by her father, Edward and her mother, Suzanne.
She leaves behind her wife, Cyndi Cash (together 29 years), her brothers Jeff (Karen) Cloutier, Chuck (Emily) Cloutier, her Twin Bill (Teresa) Cloutier and her sister, Joanne (Bud) Stevens. Also three stepchildren, Sarah (Chad) Ayers, Dan (Becky) Ferrel, and Stephanie (Grant) Kibler, six grandchildren and many cousins and nephews and nieces. We cannot forget to include her cat, Dexter.
Mary and her twin brother, Bill were born in Kittery, Maine on September 26th, 1954, the youngest of the children. She had wonderful memories of the farm they lived on before moving to the Rochester NY area a few years later, settling in Brockport. She graduated from Brockport High School and persued many different jobs including a couple overseas and quite a few years at Genesee Hospital. But it was teaching English As A Second Language (mostly in the Fairport school district) that was where her many students will tell you she made such a difference in so many lives. Her love of languages, knowledge, friendliness and humor, made her just shine.
In 2012 after being ill for some time, Mary was fortunate enough to receive a liver transplant down in Birmingham, Alabama. We will forever be grateful for Janzen’s family for the liver donation that gave us eleven more years of life with Mary.
Mary retired in 2016 and loved having more time with Cyndi, being with her many old friends, making new friends in her community (especially in the pool), staying in touch with former students and faculty, doing various craft projects and camping/traveling.
In lieu of any cards or flowers, please consider donating to(and registering with) Donate Life.
Private Services are being planned for family in the Spring. There will be a bereavement gathering held at Gypsum Mills Community center in Victor, NY on Dec 3rd. Drop by anytime between 2 and 4 pm to give condolences to her family.
I used to cut her hair I loved talking with her
It was wonderful to know her she was a wonderful woman
Cyndi, so sorry to hear of Mary’s death. You two were such nice and friendly people and fun to be around..
Pete Fedele
I think a person is best judged not by how many people they lived but by how many people loved them. Mary was loved by many. ♥️
Dear Cyndi, Stephanie, Sarah, Dan, and all of Mary’s family members, friends and former students: Mary was a wonderful teacher, supporter and friend. I am forever grateful for how she took my son under her wing while he was in high school. He was not even in her class—she just saw she was needed and stepped up. She made a positive impact on all our lives as a result. Mary was a bright light in this world and is already missed.
Mary was a gift to society and all that knew her loved her. She could enter a room with 50 strangers and leave with 50 friends. The years working together at Genesee Hospital I will cherish those memories. Rest Easy Mary. Now is your time to gain your wings and greet loved ones in heaven. Until we meet again.
What a bright light she was. Like so many others. I felt like she lifted me up! I saw how she made a such a positive difference in the lives of kids who landed in the US not knowing a word of English. She gained their trust and soon they were laughing and smiling with her, the terrors of war, loneliness and instability all falling away. They hardly knew that they were having a lesson to acquire English. They had made a friend. As I did. I m so proud and lucky to call Mary my friend. My deepest sympathy to Cyndi and the family. I miss her.
Mary and I first met back in 1981. Oh my goodness the fun we had. She absolutely loved the song “Relight My Fire” by Dan Hartman. And when we would dance she would say “reverse it”!
Our moms knew of each other from Brockport and they eventually met which was way cool. We had kept in touch all these years. I worked for BOCES and she was there for a meeting and just appeared in front of my desk one day! She was one of my best friends that I will never forget.
Rest in peace Mary. You will truly be missed.
“Relight my Fire” Mary!
I can hear you singing in heaven!
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. We worked together at Fairport High School. Over the years, I would seek out her food truck at the Naples Grape Festival so that I could purchase a Bison burger for lunch. She and Cyndi brought the food truck to our backyard for a family celebration. It was a great time! Mary also created embroidered baseball caps for my family, which became family keepsakes. We talked motorcycles and Bonnie Raitt.