MARY FRANCES LABAR REVER

October 15, 1923 – September 6, 2025

Mary Frances LaBar Rever of Towson, Maryland passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025.

Mary was born the first of two daughters to George Louis LaBar and Lela Marie LaBar (nee Needham) on October 15, 2023, in Jackson Michigan. Her sister Joan Marie LaBar Prust was born three years later and predeceased her in 2011. Mary spent her childhood throughout Michigan, Ohio ,and Indiana, graduating from Central High School in South Bend, Indiana in 1941. She was a member of the greatest generation whose lives were shaped by the start of World War II.

After high school, Mary started work as an office assistant and playing the piano to demonstrate sheet music for sale in the local dime store in South Bend, Indiana. It was there that she would meet the love of her life, William Benjamin Rever, Jr., while having dinner with her family at a local supper club. He asked her to dance to enjoy the Big Band music playing. They would be engaged after he completed his line officer training on his way to the Pacific theater of WWII. Mary and Bill were married at the chapel of the Norfolk Naval Base on February 25, 1946.

Mary started married life living with her husband's family in Baltimore. While Bill was in medical school, Mary was able to pursue her dream of further education in music, voice and piano at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, now part of Johns Hopkins University. She continued to work starting as a Dictaphone operator at Bendix Friez Corporation in Towson. Once her husband finished school and training, they moved to Towson to start their family.

Mary was thrilled to welcome daughter, Linda Jeanne then sons William Benjamin III, and David LaBar Rever. She devoted herself to home and children while helping her husband with management of his surgical practice. Mary was a dedicated and selfless volunteer for many organizations including the choir of Church of the Redeemer, the Auxiliary of Mercy Hospital, now Mercy Medical Center, Dulaney Valley Symphony Society, and the PTAs of her children's' schools. She served as President of the Towson High School PTA.

Mary and her late husband Bill enjoyed hosting family and friends to their home for their annual Christmas party. All the children participated and included their friends over many years.

Mary returned to college once her children were grown. She completed the Goucher II program for returning mature students and graduated with her bachelor's degree in communications and historic preservation in Goucher College class of 1987, ten years after her daughter's graduation from Goucher. She enjoyed sharing reunions and activities with Linda and her Goucher daughters.

Mary lost her husband of 51 years in 1997. Her zest for life continued despite her loss. She continued her lifelong interest in history, genealogy, and love of country by volunteering with many heritable organizations and Historic Hampton where she served on the board.

She served as chapter regent of the Col. John Streett Chapter NSDAR and Maryland State NSDAR offices. Other organizations included Daughters of the American Colonists, The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, and the National Society of Southern Dames of America where she served as president.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was happiest when sharing time and holidays with her children and their spouses. She was very supportive of her daughter Linda when she lost her husband Howard. She enjoyed many family Thanksgiving dinners at her son David and wife Toshie's home. She was delighted to welcome son Bill and wife Katie's children Corinne and William IV. She looked forward to every visit of her grandchildren.

Mary's strength, compassion, generosity, and passion for life lives on in her family and all those she mentored and supported in her life of community service and volunteerism.

Mary is survived by her daughter Linda Jeanne Rever (late husband Howard), sons William Benjamin Rever, III (Kathleen) and David LaBar Rever (Toshie Kabuto): her two grandchildren: Corrine Elizabeth Rever and William Benjamin Rever, IV; niece Maeve Rever Raedle, and nephew Kurt Rever. She was predeceased by her sister, Joan Marie LaBar Prust.

In lieu of flowers charitable donations, in Mary's name can be made to either Col. John Streett Chapter NSDAR, memo line Donation to Education Scholarship in Memory of Mary Rever, mailed to Maureen Tipton 511 Upton Rd. Severn, MD 21144-2326 or to Towson High School Alumni Association at https://www.towsonhighalumni.org click donate to general or scholarship fund.

Funeral service will be Friday, September 19, 2025, at 1 PM at the Church of the Redeemer, 5603 N Charles St. Baltimore MD 21210