Mary Antonia Lorenzo Brelsford, age 72, of Flourtown, PA, passed away on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at her home surrounded by her family. Mary was born in Philadelphia on June 10, 1948; dear daughter of the late Anthony S. Lorenzo and the late Mary M. Lorenzo (nee: Famularo); beloved wife of 40 years of Jeffrey C. Brelsford; loving mother of Jeffrey Drew Brelsford, Anthony Brelsford, and Cara Brelsford Kaminski; dear cousin of Joanne Pascuzzi, and Alex and Fran Famularo; dear sister-in-law of Julie Gibson, Ann Brelsford, and Rebecca Perozze; and dear lifelong friend of Mary Clare Henon.

Mary was a sweet, kind, caring, and generous person. A loving, devoted wife and mother, she was the one we all turned to for love, guidance, and comfort. She always had a positive outlook even amidst the most difficult of times. Her strength will continue to guide us throughout life.

Mary was an avid reader of westerns and mystery novels. She instilled a love of reading in her children, and always read to them when they were young. She cherished summers at the beach in Cape May with her friends and family, and always looked forward to visiting with family in Florida each year. Throughout her life she went on many adventures with her husband, Jeffrey, including visiting San Francisco, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Yellowstone, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.

Mary attended Little Flower grade school where she met her dearest friend, Mary Clare. She attended high school at Mount Saint Joseph Academy for girls in Flourtown where her daughter, Cara, would later attend. She graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelor's degree in History and a teaching certificate. She later attended Drexel University and received a Master's Degree in Library Science. Mary fondly remembered her school days and loved getting together with friends from grade school and attending her high school reunions.

Mary was a teacher and librarian at Archbishop Ryan High School in Philadelphia for 30 years. She was the last high school librarian in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. Mary was often sought after for her advice, and was well respected by her various principals and fellow teachers. In 2010, she received the Fr. Rene Barzak O.F.M. Award for Service and Dedication.

Mary was a passionate rosarian and active member of the Philadelphia Rose Society for over three decades. Her love of roses was contagious and inspirational. Mary played an integral role in the Rose Society, creating and maintaining the Rose Society's website, as well as helping to organize and run the annual Rose Show. As a board member of the Rose Society, Mary was always able to offer practical and pragmatic solutions to any problems or concerns that arose. Mary was thoughtful, dedicated, hard-working, and loved by all who knew her.

Relatives, friends, and colleagues are invited to attend her visitation on Thursday, April 22, 2021, from 10:30 to 11:30 am (a private viewing for immediate family will be held beforehand), followed by her Funeral Mass at 11:30 am at St. Alphonsus Church, 33 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA 19002. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. All are welcome to attend a luncheon following the interment.

We will all miss her terribly, but her spirit will always live in us.

A short video from her daughter's October 2020 wedding: https://vimeo.com/535865601/8e95cc6d77

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148. www.stjude.org