Mary "Boofie" Beauford Reeves Baals

Mary Beauford Reeves Baals, 88, widow of Cmdr. John Baals USN (Ret), and lovingly referred to as Boofie by her friends and family, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2023. She was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 21, 1934, to the late Lois Irwin Howie and Powell Benjamin Reeves. Boofie grew up in Ashland Kentucky, graduated from Ashland High School and Center College in Danville Kentucky. Boofie and John were High School sweethearts, married in 1956 and had John Jr and Julie within the next few years. During John’s United States Navy career, Mary and John moved the family uncountable times, crossing the country and living in New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Texas, California and Maryland. After retiring from the Navy in 1977, John and Boofie moved back home to Kentucky and had many wonderful years with new careers and friends and family at their home in south Lexington. Boofie worked as a volunteer in hospitals and then in orthodontics as a patient coordinator for 20 years. She enjoyed hobbies including sewing and continued her very active gardening until her last days. She loved her pets over the years, including dogs Maggie and Ozzie and kitties Winston and her current beloved Bella. Boofie’s commitment in adult life was the loving and nurturing support of her children, home and family. In many direct ways, Boofie served our Country quietly and proudly with her love and steadfast support of her husband in their dozens of cross-country, family re-stationing moves, and her years of single-parenting duties at home during his many overseas assignments, allowing John to devote the necessary focus in his service to our Country. Those left to cherish her memory include Julia Kathrine Baals Sanford and Kenneth Lee Sanford, John Robert Baals Jr.; grandchildren, Amanda Sanford Pontzer and Lt. Col. Scott Ponzer USAF, Katherine E. Baals, Erin Sanford Marino and John Marino, Sgt. John R. Baals III USMC and Michaela Baals, Rachel E. Sanford; and great grandchildren, Ella Pontzer, Emma Ponzer, Layla Marino, Nora Marino, and Jeremiah Baals. A Military Funeral and graveside service at Camp Nelson, for Boofie and John to be laid to rest together for eternity at Home in Kentucky soil, is pending. In lieu of flowers, Boofie would have appreciated contributions to the Jessamine County Animal Shelter.