STAFFORD, MARY ELIZABETH The death of Mary Stafford (Mullin) of Fredericton, wife of the late William Stafford occurred on May 6, 2005 at Rocmaura Nursing Home, Saint John, New Brunswick. Born in St. George, N.B., Mary was the daughter of the late Michael and Naomi (Maher) Mullin. Mary embraced life with love, compassion, service as well as her deep faith as a lifelong Roman Catholic. As a wife, mother, Veteran of WWII, a member of the CWL for 50 years, as a volunteer for many charitable causes and above all, as someone who dedicated her life to the care of children. Mary spent her early years of marriage with her husband Bill and their three sons in Fredericton. When they moved to London, Ontario Mary pursued her desire to help and nurture children by furthering her education in Childhood Studies. She completed courses on the care of Special Needs Children and was also certified at Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in early Childhood Education. She also trained at the Children's Psychiatric Research Institute in London. When Mary and Bill and their family returned to Fredericton in 1979, she became the owner and administrator of the House of Children Daycare, a business, which she operated for 20 years. At House of Children, Mary introduced the Montessori program into the daycare curriculum. But her greatest joy was to surround herself with the many children that parents happily entrusted in her care. Mary had several hobbies, including Genealogy studies. The study of family origins interested her so much that she made three excursions to Ireland to research her family history in the completion of the Mullin family tree. Mary also enjoyed creative writing and listening to classical music. Sadly, Mary was predeceased by her husband, parents, son William, daughter Mary Suzanne, brothers Hubert, Edwin, Joseph, John, & sister Beatrice. She is survived by her sons Phillip (Catherine) of Marshalltown, Iowa, USA, and David of Mississauga; brothers Eugene of St. Andrews, N.B., Paul (Elaine), Gary (Gail), and sister Madeline of St. George, N.B. She is also survived by eight Grandchildren, William, Mark, Bradley, Gregory, Gail, Rhonda, Heather and Michelle, and four great grandchildren, Mattew, Bradley, Nicholas and Megan. To remember Mary, is to remember her surrounded by children and to see these children through Mary's eyes, the following quote will illustrate just what she saw. "Why do we smile when we see a child? Perhaps it's because we see someone whose smile for us, we know to be fully genuine. And the child - soul inside us smiles wistfully in recognition. " Visitation will be held at McAdam's Select Community Funeral Home on Monday, May 9th, 2005 from 6-9 pm. Funeral mass will be held at St. Dunstan's Catholic Church on Regent Street, Fredericton on Tuesday, May 10th, 2005 with interment at Hermitage Cemetery at a later date. Monsignor Brian Sheehan as celebrant. Donations made to the IWK or the York Sunbury Children's Library would be appreciated by the family. www.mcadamsfh.com