Mary Clare Boothby

Mary was called home peacefully on January 10, at age 83. A member of a long-established Sacramento family, Mary Clare was the daughter of the late Elva and Joseph M. Genshlea of Land Park. She graduated from McClatchy High School and Stanford University, with honors. Mary taught at Peter Lassen Junior High before marrying her husband Al in 1955 and raising 6 rambunctious children. After her kids were all in School, Mary returned to teaching English as a Second Language at Fremont Adult School, something she enjoyed immensely. Mary also greatly enjoyed travel, especially her extended trips to Europe and Australia. Quick to laugh and slow to anger, Mary was the rock of her family. The door to the Boothby house was always open and most of the neighborhood kids could be found there, raising a ruckus and eating cookies supplied by the ever-tolerant Mary. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford, Mary could answer almost any question on Jeopardy up to her final days. She instilled a deep love of learning in her children and grandchildren. A past president of the Junior League of Sacramento, an active member of St. Anthony's Catholic parish, a volunteer at Maryhouse Loaves & Fishes, as wall as Sacramento Crisis Nursery and other charities, Mary was always an engaged citizen of her community. She will be missed by not only her large extended family, but her many lifelong Sacramento friends. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Albert E. Boothby, Jr. She is survived by her sister Eleanor Koerber (Fred) of Auburn, and brother Joseph S. Genshlea (Barbara) of Sacramento. Also Survived by her 6 children: Lisa Zook (David) of Sacramento; Carol Arnold (Gary) Of Del Mar, CA; Peter Boothby of Melbourne, Australia; Ellen Wong (John) of Sacramento; Annie Desalernos (John) of Sacramento; and Stephen Boothby (Nancy) of Santa Barbara; her 5 grandchildren Timory Moritz (Zach), Nolan and Delaney Wong, Nick and Chloe Arnold, her great-grandchild, Madeleine Moritz, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom adored her. Mary was also 'second mom' to exchange students Maria del Carmen Palacios of Ecuador and Boston; Elena Aymerich Trenor of Madrid, Spain; Constantin Lange of Germany and Beverly Hills; and Marta Querol Benech of Valencia, Spain. A rosary was held in memory of Mary on Wednesday, January 15th at 6:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 660 Florin Road, Sacramento 95831. Funeral services took place at 11:00 am. on Thursday, January 16th, also at St. Anthony Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Maryhouse 1321 North C Street, Sacramento, CA 95811