Mary Cathrine Rufe, age 102, died on April 29, 2019 at her daughter’s home in Myrtle Beach, SC. She was the wife of the late Dr. Aloysius N. Rufe of Doylestown, who passed in 1987.
Mary was born in Philadelphia, the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (McDevitt) Crean.
Mary graduated from Doylestown High School in 1935 and attended beautician school in Philadelphia. Mary owned and operated Molly’s Beauty Shop at her parent’s home at 62 E. Court St, Doylestown, until her marriage to Aloysius N. Rufe on June 30, 1942. In 1945 they moved from 104 E. Ashland St. to 21 E. Ashland St. where Dr. Rufe conducted his dental practice. In 1966 they returned to the family home at 104 E. Ashland St. In 1997 Mary sold her home which had been in the Rufe family since 1903 to the neighboring James Michener Art Museum, Doylestown. Mary moved to St. Leonard, MD with her daughter, Margaret and her husband, Jack Margolis. When the Margolis’s retired to Myrtle Beach in 2012, Mary began spending six months with her son, Aloysius N. Rufe, Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, in Amherst, MA and six months in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Mary was an avid reader, volunteered for many years with The Ladies of Mount Carmel and enjoyed swimming at Fanny Chapman Pool since she was a young girl. Mary and her late husband were sports fans and Mary particularly liked watching Phillies and Red Sox baseball games.
Mary is survived by her son Aloysius N. Rufe, Jr., his wife Carolyn, of Amherst, MA , daughter Margaret M. Margolis, her husband, Jack of Myrtle Beach, SC, as well as five grandchildren, Nicholas A. Rufe, Andrew J. Rufe, Kathryn Rufe Westbrook, Kristin Reinhard, and Stacy Margolis.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Aloysius N. Rufe, in 1987 and her brother John Crean.
Relatives and friends are invited to her funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Monday May 6th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 215 East Court Street, Doylestown. Interment will follow Mass in St. Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions In Mary’s name may be made to: Embrace Hospice, 1318 3rd Ave, Conway, SC 29526 or Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St, Amherst MA 01002.