Mary Beatrice Brunini McArdle passed away at the age of 78 in Madison, Alabama after a year-long battle with breast cancer. She died peacefully on September 4, 2016.
Mary Bea was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi on March 1, 1938, and moved to Jackson with her family in her 20s. She studied History at the University of Dallas. She was employed first at the Mississippi Natural Science Center as a science educator in Jackson, followed by a tenure at the Madison branch of the library. She greatly enjoyed writing fiction as well as creating artwork in the colored pencil medium. Other hobbies included singing with a variety of choirs. Mary Bea's favorite charitable organizations included Catholic Charities as well as local animal shelters.
Mary Bea was preceded in death by her son Paul Douglas McArdle and is survived by her two daughters, Beth McArdle Allen and Susan McArdle Waterman. She leaves behind three grandchildren: Lawrence Allen, Elizabeth Allen, and Christina Waterman. Mary Bea is also survived by her two siblings, Tessie Brunini Schweitzer and Edmund L. Brunini, Jr.
Funeral Services are planned to be held at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Jackson, Mississippi on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 1pm, preceded by a visitation at the church at noon. Wright-Ferguson Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.