Mary Frances Mazzola Bethard
Our amazing mother, Mary Frances Mazzola Bethard, 101, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, with her daughters at her bedside.

Born on November 9, 1919, in Orange, Texas, Mary Frances was the sixth of thirteen children born to Anna and Ben Mazzola.

Graduating in the top ten percent of her class from Orange High School, she went to work in the family’s grocery business and later worked at Perry Brothers. In 1947, she met the love of her life, George H. Bethard, who was stationed at the Orange naval base. The couple married on February 24, 1948 and remained together until his death on January 11, 2000. They were blessed with two daughters, Flo and Georgiana, as well as six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Mary Frances loved St. Mary Catholic Church and school. She helped with numerous fundraisers and especially enjoyed cooking for the football banquet every year. She was a charter member of the LaDonna Club and a 70 year member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. The Bethards, along with her sister Polly, enjoyed decorating and catering numerous weddings for family members and friends.

Mary Frances collected state quarters and delighted in sharing them at Christmas with all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. The children waited patiently until it was their turn to receive their special gift of 5 quarters nestled in a Christmas ornament. The excitement was palpable. She always said “I hope to live long enough to complete all fifty states,” and she did.

Preceded in death by her parents, six sisters, and five brothers, Mary Frances is survived by her two daughters Flo Bethard Calais and Georgiana Bethard Bean and husband David. Her survivors also include six grandchildren, Nikki Cobb and husband David, Jessica Abram and husband Kevin, Clancie Grant and husband Colin, Melissa Calais, David Lawrence Bean, and James Hansford Bean; twelve great grandchildren, Catelyn Cobb, Colten Cobb, Kevin Abram, Jr., Korey Abram, Kobie Abram, Karmen Abram, Savannah Grant, Geordan Grant, Olivia Grant, Albanie Calais, Brendon Brones, Calie Brones and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by one sister, Pauline Mazzola Albright.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 18, 2021, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father Joseph P. Daleo. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm, with a rosary at 6:00 p.m., Sunday February 14, 2021 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Special thanks to Best Hospice Care of Texas, Jennifer Burch, Ryan Anderson, Matt Daigle, Brianna, Kristina, Emily, Caroline, Angela, Ms. Pat and the Chaplain, Wanda. We would also like to thank the Fire Dept. who over the years would come and move Mary Frances to safety when bad weather was approaching.

In Lieu of flowers, please make donation to:
St. Mary Catholic School Foundation
2600 Bob Hall Rd
Orange, TX 77630