Mary Elaine Birmingham's Obituary
Mary Elaine Birmingham, age 83, of Lewes, DE passed away on Friday, May 29, 2015 at her residence. She was born on August 29, 1931 at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD, daughter of the late Henry J. and Clara A. (Horan) Pulsford.
Mary Elaine resided in West Baltimore on Abington Avenue where she was a member of St. Joseph's Monastery Parish. She was a member of the Seton High School graduating class of 1949 in Baltimore, MD. On August 5, 1950 she married her husband of 34 years, Joseph A. Birmingham at St. Bernardine's Parish, Baltimore.
Mary Elaine worked for Blue Cross & Blue Shield and also for many years with The Sun papers. After she and Joseph began raising a family, Mary Elaine was a devoted homemaker who took pride in her role as Mother. She was an avid Baltimore Orioles fan from their arrival in Baltimore in 1954. She was especially a fan of catcher, Gus Triandos.
After moving to Delaware in 1991, Mary Elaine volunteered with the Lightship Overfalls, Queen Ann Railroad, the Ladies Auxiliary Unit of the American Legion Post #28, the Ladies Auxiliary Unit of the VFW Post #7234, First Town Club in Lewes and was a parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church also in Lewes. In addition to volunteering, Mary Elaine enjoyed a 10 year summer career at the Sea Esta Hotel in Dewey Beach as a Front Desk Clerk.
An avid gardener, Mary Elaine enjoyed growing plants and vegetables. She had a deep appreciation of the Opera and Symphony, and was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, who adored her granddaughters.
In addition to her parents, Mary Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph in 1994 and her brother, Francis H. Pulsford. She is survived by 2 sons, Army Sgt. First Class (ret.) James E. Birmingham of Houston, TX and Army Lt. Col. (ret.) Michael G. Birmingham and his wife Donna of Manassas, VA; a daughter, Katherine M. Hoffman of Houston, TX and 4 granddaughters, Madeline A., Olivia G., Caroline E. and Eleanor M. Birmingham of Manassas, VA.
Friends may call on Friday, June 5, 2015 from 5 PM to 7 PM at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Saturday, June 6, 2015 at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE where friends may call from 10 AM to 11 AM. Entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes DE 19958 or Delaware Hospice, 600 N. Dupont Hwy., Ste 107, Georgetown, DE 1994.
Please visit Mary Elaine's Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
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