Obituary of Mary G. Bagley

Mary G. Bagley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, and sister to members of the extended Bagley family, passed away on February 13, 2022. She was 86.
Born on February 12, 1936, in Arlington, GA, Mary, daughter of Emma Quattlebaum (nee Johnson) and Nathaniel Green, was one of two children. Mary’s sister Mildred, passed away at a young age, leaving Mary to grow up in Newark NJ with her mother to build a culture of caring and support for each other as two strong independent women. Mary and Emma were mother and daughter, best of friends and traveling companions for many years until Emma’s passing.
Mary married the love of her life, the late David S. Bagley, immediately after graduating from high school. While juggling the demands of mothering three young boys, Mary enrolled at community college part-time and resumed her educational journey, earning her associates degree from Dutchess Community College in 1968, her bachelor’s degree in sociology from SUNY New Paltz in 1970 and then her first master’s degree from New Paltz in 1975. She continued her learning journey and earned her second master’s degree in education.
A life-long learner, she loved to read, travel, and stay active mentally and physically. As an adult, she learned to play the piano, was a “morning regular” at Gold’s Gym and traveled the world with her husband David – visiting five of seven continents. She also inspired her children to learn, travel, and earn advanced degrees in various fields of study.
Mary’s passion for learning translated into a career as a teacher for the Beacon, NY public school system. She began as a third-grade teacher helping to shape young minds and then progressed to teaching core mathematics to fifth and sixth graders.
For over 50 years, Mary participated in community service and volunteerism, serving on numerous boards and “rolling up her sleeves” to help on the frontlines. She was an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and was also a board member for the Poughkeepsie Children’s Home and the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill. She volunteered in the hospice community as an ombudsman (certified by the NY State Office for the Aging), served at local soup kitchens, was a member of the American Association of University Women, and with David, she supported Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley.
Mary is survived by her sons David, Jr., Trent, and Keith; daughter-in-law Bobbie; grandchildren Laura, Khaira, and Khalique; and great-grandson Rene.
A Celebration of Mary’s life will be held from 5pm to 7pm, on Friday, February 18, 2022, at the Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, February 19, 2022, at 10am at St. Martin de Porres RC Church, 118 Cedar Valley Road, Poughkeepsie, NY.
Memorial donations in memory of Mary can be made to the Scholarship fund of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Iota Alpha Omega Chapter at the following address: Mid-Hudson Ivy Foundation Inc., PO Box 1848, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
If you wish to send an online condolence, please visit www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.