Mary A. Bradshaw 1936-2026

Born Jan. 22, 1936, in Norwalk, the daughter of Fred Leak and Fern Amanda Jennings, Mary Alice was raised on their 100-acre dairy farm adjoining her cousin’s family farms.

Mary Alice attended and later taught students at a one-room schoolhouse, where her father also taught when not managing the farm. She lost her mother Fern during high school. She graduated from Ashland College School of Teaching.

She married her beloved husband, Dale Bradshaw of Boardman, in 1958.

Mary Alice leaves Dale in Copley; son, David, and his wife, Christine, in Herndon, Virginia; and daughter, Nancy, in Bath; as well as her much loved family and friends.

Mary Alice was a kindergarten and first-grade teacher in the Canfield School System (C.H. Campbell Elementary) for 38 years. She was known as “Mrs. B,” and her class welcomed “buzzwords” — “Buzz on in with Mrs. B.” She beamed with pride catching up with “her kids,” who often approached her in Canfield and reminisced on school days. She enjoyed the annual teddy bear program each year, with the kids making their own bears and learning to sew in the process.

Mary Alice thrived on her neighbors and contributing to the Canfield community, especially Canfield Rotary, First Night and Fly the Flag programs, the annual Canfield Fair Arts and Crafts barn displays, the Berlin Yacht Club, her bridge group, Red Hats, TOPs and Herb Growers.

She was an active member of Central Christian, Canfield Presbyterian, and Faith Lutheran churches. She was active in the choir, church communities, After School Haven and charities in many ways. She was always willing to lend a hand.

Mary Alice loved Canfield, where friends and family were the center of her life. She and Dale grew amazing flowers and vegetables in their garden and enjoyed visiting Fellows Riverside Gardens in Youngstown. Annual vacations at Stone Harbor, New Jersey, and homemade ice cream at Springers were a ritual with the family and special friends, the Don and Shirley Peterson family. Sailing with Dale in their Flying Scot sailboat was a weekly joy.

Our family will receive visitors 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 16, at Canfield Presbyterian Church, 140 W. Main St., Canfield, with the funeral at noon.

We will also receive visitors 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, at Faith Lutheran Church, 2726 W. Market St., Fairlawn.

In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome for the Canfield Presbyterian Church remodeling project or Faith Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes. This obituary can be viewed and condolences sent to www.higgins-reardon.com.

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