Mary Custer

Mary Jeanne Custer, 85, of Boise, died on Tuesday, March 4, 2014, at a local hospital. Mary was born on March 2, 1929, in Milwaukee, WI, to William and Lillian Nelligan. She graduated from Shorewood High School in 1947, and later went on to graduate from Mount Mary College in 1951. In 1956, Mary moved to San Francisco, CA, where she taught in Redwood City for a brief period and then accepted a teaching position at Commodore-Stockton Elementary School in Chinatown, San Francisco. In 1957 she met the love of her life Edward "Hap" I. Custer, and later married, on August 9, 1958 at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco. This marriage was blessed with five children. The family then moved from San Francisco, CA to Santa Clara, CA in 1963, then on to Boise in August of 1978, making lifetime friends all along the way. She worked for the Boise Public Schools over 25 years. She especially enjoyed being involved in the ESL Program where she was able to teach English as a second language to many, many children! She was blessed with numerous friendships throughout her years of teaching and commented often on her many wonderful memories with them. Mary spent many hours volunteering in various positions at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. She was a true instrument of God’s love. Mary is survived by her daughters: Mary (Curt) Tejcka, and Margaret; sons: Paul (Suzie) and Matthew; brothers: Jack and Don Nelligan; nine grandchildren: Jennifer, Morgan, Nick, Ryan, Joseph, John, Christina, Rachel, and Mary; and one great-grandchild, Jada. She is preceded in death by her son, Dan; and her brother, Bill and his wife Dody Nelligan. She felt incredibly blessed by a life of a loving and devoted husband. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy! She had an incredible sense of humor and her laugh was contagious to all who knew her. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Mark’s CCW. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:30PM, on Friday, March 7, 2014, at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 7960 Northview St, Boise. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, March 8, 2014, also at St. Mark’s Catholic Church. Remembrances may be left for the family at www.AccentFuneral.com. Services are under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian.