Mary James

Life-long resident of Baton Rouge, MARY MAHER JAMES, passed away on October 4, 2018 at the age of 98.

Mary is survived by her three children: Gloria Woest Fugler (Carl), George William Woest, Jr., and David Lee Pourciau (Susan Snarr).  Also surviving Mary are her five grandchildren, Carl, Jr., Mark and Randy Fugler, Dianna Pourciau Singh and John Pourciau, her three great-grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica and Rachel Fugler, and many nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, George Osmond Maher, Sr., and Lena Stabiler Maher, her brother Thomas Anthony Maher, her twin brother George Osmond Maher, Jr., and husbands, George W. Woest, Sr., Joseph Lee Pourciau and Clifton James.

Mary began her career as a telephone operator at Kean's Laundry in the 1940's. While working at Kean's, she attended evening classes at Baton Rouge Business College.  She was hired as a clerk recorder in the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court's office. Over the years Mary served under Clerks of Court Perry M. Johnson, Sr., Perry M. Johnson, Jr. and Mike Cannon. After 30 years of service she retired as Chief Deputy Clerk of 19th District Court, East Baton Rouge Parish. After retiring from the EBR Parish Court’s office, Mary went back to work as an Administrative Legal Secretary for the Louisiana State Department of Safety and Enforcement.

Mary was a former member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, a member of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church and an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court of St. Francis of Assisi.

Mary volunteered with the Cub and Boy Scouts troops, Camp Fire Girls, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Baton Rouge High School Alumni Association, the BRHS Hall of Fame, Jolie Femme Chapter of the American Business Women's Association. She was also a member of the Krewe of Fools, Thibodaux, Louisiana, where she was “the oldest in age and the youngest in spirit.”  She enjoyed square dancing, gardening, sewing and mall-walking with her friends.

A resident of Kenilworth Subdivision, Mary was an active member of the Kenilworth Ladies and Civic Associations. She and her son George were well-known for their annual Christmas and Snow Village displays and won numerous awards for their holiday lawn decorations.

Visiting hours will be at Resthaven Gardens of Memory and Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, on October 11, 2018.  Viewing will be from 9am until 11am, with Services and Burial following.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Hospice of Baton Rouge, 3600 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Mary’s family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff and caregivers of the Ollie Steele Burden Manor Nursing Center, to the nurses, chaplains and aides of the Hospice of Baton Rouge and to the many Home Instead caregivers for their loving care of our mother in these final years.